When Carthage shows up at AT&T Stadium, history usually follows. Friday afternoon was no different.
The Carthage Bulldogs put on a championship clinic, blasting past West Orange-Stark for a 49-21 win in the Class 4A Division II state championship. The victory delivered state title No. 11 for the Bulldogs, completed a perfect 16-0 season, and continued one of the most dominant runs Texas high school football has ever seen.
It took just 30 seconds for Carthage to announce its intentions. On the opening snap, KJ Edwards took a handoff and raced 87 yards to the end zone, igniting the crowd and setting the tone for a long afternoon. Edwards followed with another touchdown run later in the second quarter, showing once again why defenses spend all week worrying about him.
The Bulldogs’ offense stayed relentless. Jett Surratt carved up the Mustangs’ secondary with precision, throwing three touchdown passes and crossing the 10,000-yard career passing mark in the process. Big plays came in waves, including a 77-yard strike to Junior Henderson and a late first-half touchdown that sent Carthage into the locker room up 28-0.
And if the offense was overwhelming, the defense was downright suffocating. Early in the third quarter, Tylin Williams blocked a punt and scooped it up for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 35-0 and effectively slamming the door. Williams, playing through injury, finished with 11 tackles and earned Defensive MVP honors.
Carthage kept its foot on the gas even as reserves rotated in. Benny Smith ripped off a 52-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 49-0 before West Orange-Stark found the end zone late. The Mustangs kept fighting, scoring three times in the final minutes, but the outcome was long decided.
Edwards finished with 153 yards and two touchdowns, earning Offensive MVP honors for the second straight year. Surratt added 232 passing yards and three scores, while Henderson paced the receivers with 126 yards.
West Orange-Stark showed grit to the final whistle and closes a strong 12-3 season, but this stage once again belonged to Carthage.
Eleven titles. Zero championship losses under Scott Surratt. Another gold trophy heading back to East Texas. The dynasty keeps rolling.
Photos from Das Mitchell below
