THESE ‘DAWGS BITE | Carthage blasts PG, 37-13
CARTHAGE – There was likely no bigger, no more anticipated high school football game in the state this weekend than the one that took place here between defending 4A-Division II state champion Carthage and perennial title contender Pleasant Grove.
And if you were a Carthage fan, you left happy. If you were rooting for Pleasant Grove, well…
Better luck next year. Or whenever.
Coach Scott Surratt’s Bulldogs didn’t give up much of anything, dealing the Hawks a 37-13 loss, and now it’s a district loss, specifically District 8-4A, DII.
The ‘Dawgs played in the state’s biggest game tonight, and then do it again next week, as they put their unbeaten record and district winning streak on the line at Jeff Traylor Stadium in Gilmer, a 7 p.m. kickoff next Friday.
Against PG, the Bulldogs would get the opening kickoff at their own 21. A run by Jace Harris – combined with a facemask penalty on the Hawks – would jump-start the drive to Carthage’s 36.
Quarterback Jacob Dixon found Bryston Price for a quick 4 yards, then a first-down run by Jaden Jeffress the Bulldogs to their own 47.
It was Dixon’s legs, though, that kept the drive alive, a run by the QB on third down all the way to the Hawks’ 33. Dixon connected with Connor Johnston to move it to the PG 28, and after an offsides call on PG, the Bulldogs would have it at the PG 1.
Harris would get the call and take it to the house, a 19-yard touchdown run. Jesus Lopez was good on the extra point kick, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 7:12 left in the first quarter.
The Hawks’ first drive of the game stalled out, special teams downed the ball at the Carthage 15.
On first down, Harris got the call and picked up a quick 15 yards. Dixon hit JD Edwards to move it to Carthage’s 44, for 14 more.
Then, Dixon completed a pass to Price for a 54-yard, PG fan-silencing bomb for the touchdown.
Lopez again was good on the kick, making it 14-0 Carthage with 1:11 left in the first quarter.
sThe Hawks would start their next drive at there own 28 after back-to-back runs by Floyd the Hawks would have it at there own 33 at the end of the 1st quarter the Bulldogs would have the lead 14-0.
PG just couldn’t get anything going – Carthage’s defense had a lot to do with that.
Carthage forced another punt, and the Bulldogs would have it at their own 29 to start their next drive.
After a run by Dixon, the Bulldogs were set up again at the PG 37.
Dixon connected with Edwards for a short gain, to the PG 35, and then Dixon would find Shawn Bundy to move it the PG 31. That brought up a fourth down but the Bulldogs would come up short and give it to the Hawks at their own 33.
A third possession for the Hawks once again turned into a punt – but this time, it flipped the field, forcing Carthage to begin the drive at their own 2.
Dixon would keep it and move it out of danger for the Bulldogs to their own 7. Dixon would hit Price to move it the PG 48, a brilliant play call.
On fourth and short at the PG 48, Dixon would find Edwards to move the sticks to the PG 26. The drive stalled out a bit, but Lopez was on the money for another kick, a 37-yarder that gave the ‘Dawgs a 17-0 advantage.
Pleasant Grove began the second half with the ball.
Palmer Gibbs would set the Hawks up at their own 45, their best field position of the game. Gibbs and the Hawks stalled out again, though, and leave the Bulldogs starting at their own 47. Dixon would keep the ball on first down and move it to midfield, and then Edwards got the toss and turned on the afterburners, all the way down to PG’s 4.
Bundy scored, giving the ‘Dawgs a 24-0 advantage with 7:54 left in the third.
The Hawks simply could not move the ball successfully on the Carthage defense. They did, however, get pretty good at putting the ball in great position after a punt, as it was downed at the Bulldogs’ 5.
Bundy, a tough runner, got free to the Carthage 26, and passes from Dixon to Edwards would take it to the PG 23.
Javon Landers scored from 23 yards out. The extra point was a rare miss, and that left the score at 30-0 Carthage.
Pleasant Grove finally got on the scoreboard a minute and a half into the fourth quarter.
Two quick plays got the Hawks to the Carthage 6, and Colt Yancey would find Jack Sarine for the score. The kick was good, leaving Carthage in front comfortably, 30-7, with 10:25 left in the game.
Carthage would get one more score. After Eadon Pree intercepted Dixon, Gibbs would punch it in for the Hawks from 14 yards out.
The two-point try for the Hawks would be no good, making to 37-13 Carthage with 2:08 left in the game. The Bulldogs would have it at there own 25 to start the drive and that would be the ballgame.