CARTHAGE LANDS TKO | ‘Dawgs knock out Athens, advance to semis to face Brock
TYLER – A few weeks back, the Athens Hornets gave Carthage all it wanted in a home game that the Bulldogs eventually won.
A handful of weeks later, in the UIL Class 4A, Division II playoffs Friday night, a lot of people thought the rematch would be – well, must-see TV, so to speak.
Turns out, it was about as good as – the new Cracker Barrel logo.
Carthage, the defending 4A-DII state champion, “welcomed” district rival Athens to CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium on Friday night, and promptly put an end to any thinking that the Hornets would be upset-minded. A 42-14 halftime lead swelled to a 63-28 final.
Carthage (14-0) will meet Brock (14-0) at Mesquite Memorial Stadium next Friday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. All other details will be finalized and announced soon, we’re told, and when they are, they’ll be here on ETBlitz.com, as well, of course.
Uncharacteristically of coach Scott Surratt’s Bulldogs, Athens (11-3) would score first in the game.
Carthage started the contest with the ball, but turned the ball over on downs.
The Hornets’ quarterback David Richardson found Julious Brewer on Athens’ first play to midfield, then E’manuel Moore on a 27-yard pass to Carthage’s 26.
After back-to-back runs by Brewer the Hornets had the ball at the Bulldogs’ 11, where Richardson connected with Jaybian Taylor for an 11-yard touchdown.
The kick by Juan Rubles was good, giving Athens a 7-0 early advantage with 7:04 left in the opening quarter in what would be the only lead of the night for the Hornets.
The Bulldogs would get the kick and start their next drive at there own 14.
Jett Surratt hit teammate Junior Henderson to move it to the Bulldogs’ 24, and then after runs by Benny Smith and K.J. Edwards, the ‘Dawgs would have it at their own 36 where Surratt would find Jax Thomas to move it to the 44, an 8-yard gain.
Three straight runs for Edwards was bad news for Athens – the final one went for 45 yards and the score. The kick by Christan Monreal was no good, however, making it 7-6 Hornets with 3:17 left in the quarter.
The Hornets would look to add to their lead, but it would not be, as a pass from Richardson was picked off by Carson Crawford – he’s headed for Colorado, by the way, after graduation – and returned 15 yards for the touchdown. The two-point try would fail, and the Bulldogs would be up 12-7 with 1:24 left in the first quarter.
The Hornets would look to answer back, but Carthage was ready. Richardson was picked off AGAIN, this time by Jace Harris, at the end of the first quarter, and the Bulldogs remained in front, 12-7.
Surratt would find Henderson from 48 yards for the score, and this time, the conversion was good, giving Carthage a 20-7 advantage with 6:54 left in the half.
The Hornets would try and get something going but interception number three was waiting around the corner, and this time it was due to Trey Gant giving the Bulldogs the ball back.
The Bulldogs would ride with Benny Smith all the way down to the Hornets’ 1, where Surratt would find Henderson for the score. The two-point try was good, giving Carthage a 28-7 advantage with 5:19 left in the half.
The Hornets would get a drive to write home about as after runs by Charli Kiser, Richardson, and Ja’bory Taylor, they would have it at the Bulldogs’ 2-yard-line and Taylor would walk into the endzone for the score.
The Bulldogs weren’t done yet, though, as Edwards would get the call from 30 yards out and run it to the house for the score.
The kick by Monreal was good, and just like that, it was 35-14 Bulldogs with 1:23 left in the half.
The Hornets were pushing buttons all over the place to try and get back into the game.
Guess what?
Interception number four reared its head. It was Harris again, coming back 10 yards for another touchdown.
Monreal’s kick was through, and suddenly, Carthage led big, 42-14, at halftime.
After a punt from Athens to open the second half, the Bulldogs would strike fast as Edwards would get the call from 51 yards and take it to the house. The kick by Monreal was good, and Carthage was very quickly in front 49-14.
Athens would punt again, setting Carthage up at their own 35. Surratt would find Jaden Jefferess to move it to Athens’ 18, and then Surratt found Bryston Price for the 18-yard touchdown. An extra point later (56-14) and still in the third quarter, there was 5:50 left in the third when Athens got the ball back.
Incredibly, a fifth interception happened. Jacob Dixon would hit Travis Lipsey for the 38-yard score, and the extra point was good. At the end of the third quarter, it was still 62-14.
Athens opened the fourth quarter with a scoring pass when Richardson found Eli Carnes for a 13-yard TD. Robles hit the extra point.
It was 63-21 Carthage, with 9:32 remaining. Moments later, Richardson would find Brewer for the 18-yard score. The kick by Robles would be good, but Carthage’s message had been sent – this game was over; and with a final score of 63-28, Carthage moves on to the UIL Class 4A, Division II State Semifinal.
