TITLE TOWN | ETBlitz previews Carthage Bulldogs football / Can Surratt, ‘Dawgs continue unprecedented success?

CARTHAGE – What’s that word of warning? If you come for the king, you best not miss?

There have been a LOT of people who have came for the king – the king being Carthage – the last 19 seasons, and most have indeed missed.

Since Scott Surratt arrived to coach football here in 2007, Carthage has won 11 state championships in 19 seasons. That’s better than anybody.

Like, those are better than Nick Saban’s numbers at Alabama.

Six of the 11 titles have been perfect seasons, five 16-0s to go with one 14-0. There are two 15-1s. And, if you’re counting along with us, there’s five back-to-backs.

That’s just ridiculous.

Since consecutive district opening losses to Henderson and Kilgore in 2016, the ‘Dawgs are 52-0 against district opponents, 68-4 in the last 14 years and a remarkable 87-5 since the beginning 19 years ago in 2007.

Surratt’s philosophy, a good one, is putting past success in the rearview mirror and focusing on what’s ahead. Earlier this year, that was another UIL Re-alignment, moving Carthage from Region III back to Region II. They’ve been there before, but it’s a different look.

Finding non-district games is a laborious chore, but a couple of former rivals (Henderson and Pine Tree) will fill the void in the opener at Henderson and a week later at home game against Pine Tree. Tomorrow night’s game marks the first time Carthage and Henderson have played since 2019.

Following the first of two open dates on the schedule, Sept. 11, Carthage entertains SpringLegacy, and then visits West Orange-Stark, the team the Dawgs beat 49-21 to capture the program’s 11^th title under Surratt this past season.

West Orange-Stark opens the season second in Texas Football’s pre-season poll.

Interestingly enough, besides WO-S, with realignment this season, Center in the final week of the regular season is the only team Carthage played in 2025.

Graduation took a toll, losing four players to Power Four schools as well as its  quarterback Jett, Scott’s son, who knew the multiple pro offense as well, if not better, than anyone.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how much better we can get this group this year,” Surratt said, when asked about the challenge of the new season. “We have to replace several great players that graduated, but we are excited about the guys we have returning and our new starters.

“I have great coaches that are grinders and if we can stay away from the injury bug I believe we will get better and better.”

The talent is there in players, though, such as wide receiver / running back / defensive back Jace Harris, who’s listed as an athlete at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds and has with 4.4speed; offensive lineman Vernon Pittman (6-4, 335, 5.4, a junior), defensive lineman Caleb Smith (6-3, 225, 4.7, a senior) along with wide receiver / defensive back JD Edwards (5-11, 170, 4.4, also a junior). Harris, like Pittman and Edwards, is a junior. Rest assured there are plenty of others ready to put their names in Carthage football record books.

Others offensively such as tight end Jaden Jeffress (6-3, 205, 4.5, a senior), WR Bryston Price (6-1, 175, 4.4, a senior and a Stephen F. Austin commit), quarterback Jacob Dixon (6-2, 180, 4.7, a junior), and center Cooper Walters (6-1, 300, a senior). Defensive end Andric Kindle (6-2, 220, 4.9, Jr.), tight end / offensive tackle Kaden Gordan, who can play on either the defensive or offensive lines, defensive back Tray Gant (senior), and middle linebacker Ethan Portley (senior).    

After the game in Orange, Carthage takes its second open date before opening district with back-to-back road games at Pittsburg and in Longview against Spring Hill on Thursday, Oct. 15, before hosting Pleasant Grove, who enters the season ranked fourth in Texas Football’s Division II pre-season poll, on Oct. 23. On the night before Halloween, a week later, on Oct. 30, the ‘Dawgs visit Gilmer, which kicks off its season ranked ninth in DCTF’s pre-season football rankings.