The Carthage Bulldogs, the defending 4A state champs (back-to-back state champs), opened the 2021 season in dramatic fashion on Thursday night. Down 17-0 in the first half, the Bulldogs came storming back and outscored Crosby 27-7 in the second half, including the game-clenching 98-yard kickoff return for a TD by Noah Paddie with a little over a minute left on the clock.
The Carthage Bulldogs extends its winning streak to 31 games.
The Bulldogs overcame being short-handed with some starters out due to testing positive for COVID. They also overcame five first-half turnovers to stymie Crosby by playing turnover-free football and only committing two penalties in the second half.
QB Javarian Roquemore started the game at quarterback for Carthage but later left the game with an injury. He was 10 of 16 passing for 136 yards and threw an INT.
Conner Cuff came to replace Roquemore at QB and did not disappoint as he completed 14 of 21 passes for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Carthage WR Montrell Hatten led all receivers with 10 receptions for 206 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown. Hatten is a three-star recruit in the Class of 2023 and has six scholarship offers, according to 247sports: Arkansas, Baylor, Georgia Tech, Houston, Ole Miss, and SMU.
Bulldogs WR Kadariane Bell caught five balls for 56 yards, and Braeden Wade caught 4 passes for 96 yards and 1 touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball, LB Kip Lewis recorded a sack, and Camden Foster recovered one fumble for Carthage.
For Crosby, QB Cyrin Myles was 8 of 20 passing for 99 yards, and he added 27 yards rushing.
WR Kameren Kirkwood had a 50-yard TD catch. And RB Quincy Jones rushed for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Carthage looks to extend their winning streak next week when they host San Antonio Cornerstone on September 3rd. The kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.
Tony Thomas is a freelance writer. He also writes about college football on his own site, www.thegridironnews.com.
Does Carthage extend their winning streak to 32 games next week against SA Cornerstone? Comment below.
