KILGORE-LINDALE HUGE FOR BOTH | Bulldogs visit Lindale in a game that looms large for 8-4A, Division I

LINDALE – This is the time of the high school football season where teams usually have an idea if they’re close to being playoff ready or not for the second or even third week of November.

It’s the stretch run. 

By Week five of a seven-game District 8-4A Division I schedule, a picture should be coming into focus of which four district teams are playoff-worthy.: the haves and have-nots, if you will.

Kilgore is one of three 3-1 teams sitting a game behind state-ranked and unbeaten Lindale (4-0, 7-0) in this week’s district standings along with Pine Tree and Henderson (both 3-1) and a game further back is Chapel Hill (2-2).

The Eagles are ranked second in this week’s Dave Campbell Texas Football poll and have been there all season.  

Tonight Kilgore (3-1, 3-3) visits Lindale, Chapel Hill (2-2, 2-5) entertains Pine Tree (3-1, 4-3), Bullard (0-4, 1-6) hosts Henderson (3-1, 4-3), and Jacksonville (0-4, 2-5) travels to Palestine (1-3, 3-4). All games are set for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

There are online streaming options available – see the ETBlitz.com Facebook page around 7 p.m. and we’ll point them out.

But one thing that’s tried and true is Ragin’ Red Broadcasting. They’ve been covering Kilgore football for about 45 years. Hear them live on KDOK 105.3-FM on your radio, or go online to www.kdokradio.com. 

“Offensively, their really good running game sets up their passing game,” said Kilgore coach Clint Fuller, when talking about Lindale. “Defensively, their very aggressive up front and really get after it on the back end.

“They’ve been in some close games and to their credit they’ve found ways to win (those games). Offensively against Van (49-46) and defensively against Henderson (29-21).

To be successful, Fuller continued, “we need to start strong, play well and win the fourth quarter.” 

His counterpart at Lindale, Eagles head coach Chris Cochran, has been Lindale’s head coach the last 10 seasons. Lindale has reached the playoffs and won in the first round every year, except 2019.

“Honestly, I like our resiliency,” he said. “and how we’ve responded in different situations. This is a very connected group and that helps. I think the media look at their season record (3-3) and don’t give Kilgore credit. Kilgore will be a tough test. They were inexperienced early, but this is not early now.” 

The Eagles are averaging 46.7 points per game for the season and allowing its opposition 27.7 avg. ppg. Against the district, there’s not much difference (48.7 to 26.0). 

Meanwhile, Kilgore’s averaging 37.6 points against six opponents and allowing 33.5, and their numbers are 42.2 points for and 23.7 points against district foes.

The Eagles offense is anchored by quarterback David Lindig (5-foot-10, 175 pounds, a senior.), Tight end Reed Carnathan (6-3, 215, senior) and running back Hank Thurman (5-9, 165, senior.) as well as a couple of offensive linemen, Xi Smith (6-2, 270, junior) and Ike Fisher (5-11, 230, junior).

Lindig, who threw for 1,753 yards and 17 touchdowns for a team that went two-rounds deep in the playoffs in 2025, through seven games is 69-of-102 passing attempts for 1,036 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has also ran for 250 yards and two touchdowns.

Carnathan, his tight end, is his favorite receiving target with 27 catches for 453 yards (16.7 yards per catch) and nine touchdowns, followed by wide receiver Carter Hill (6-1, 185, junior) with a dozen catches for 141 yards and three scores.

Thurman has rushed for 1,030 yards on 153 carries (6.7 yards per carry) and 18 touchdowns and has seven receptions for 138 yards and two receiving touchdowns. He rushed for 201 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-21 win at Pine Tree a week ago.

Kilgore’s defense is allowing an average of 124.3 rushing yards and 62.8 passing yards per contest. 

Top tacklers include inside linebacker Blade Chitwood (77 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception), safety Brenton Mumphrey (47 total tackles), defensive tackle Cris Smith (47 total tackles), defensive end Zarak Hall (46 total tackles, 1 sack), outside linebacker De’Andre Thurmond (46 total tackles), outside linebacker Rayshaun Williams (40 total tackles), cornerback Tyler Johnigan (21 total tackles, 4 interceptions) and defensive end Zechariahs Jackson (1 fumble recovery). Hall, injured in the Palestine game last week, will miss this one.

The Bulldogs’ offense enters the showdown, averaging 230.6 rushing and 167.1 passing yards per game. The leading rushers continue to be running backs Maddox Wright (73-628, nine touchdowns) and Williams (87-597, eight touchdowns). 

Kilgore quarterback Braddox Johnson is 79-of-120 passing for 1,003 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. His primary receivers are Johnigan (22-447, six TDs), Thurmond (14-214, five TDs) and Wright (10-77) and Williams (10-69).

The Eagles’ defense is allowing opponents an average of 323 yards per game (171 rushing and 152 passing).

Leading tacklers have been middle linebacker Lincoln Laing (77 tackles, five tackles for loss, four sacks, one fumble recovery), linebacker Reed Carnathan (31 tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, one fumble recovery), Safety Ethan Bowman (30 tackles and an interception) and safety Colton Dunn (28 tackles, one tackle for loss). Corner / running back Dre Foster leads the team in interceptions with two.

Kilgore leads this all-time series 12-4 and has won the last five games since the 2020 campaign. The Eagles defeated Kilgore 47-40 in the final regular season game of the 2020 season for the 9-4A, DI championship and then beat the Bulldogs again in a regional final playoff matchup at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches 56-42.

Lindale went on to reach the state championship game against Argyle, lost that, and finished the season with a 13-3 record.

Prior to its 2020 wins, the Eagles two previous victories came in 2008 (35-17) and 1990 (14-0).