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Carthage Dominates La Vega To Capture Texas High School Football Class 4A Division 2 State Championship

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby: Lawrence Fernandez12/20/24lawandfern
On3 Texas High School Football

The Carthage Bulldogs won their tenth Texas high school football state championship after a one-sided contest against La Vega 28-14. The victory erased their bitter defeat to Gilmer in the quarterfinal of last season’s tournament.

The Bulldogs had two massive quarters to distance themselves from the Pirates during this contest at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Four-star prospect K.J. Edwards completed a 21-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to break the scoreless tie. Leo Medrano’s extra point made the count 7-0 Carthage.

While La Vega responded via a one-yard touchdown run by Kourtney Parr, Carthage regained the lead thanks to Edwards’ explosive 86-yard touchdown run.

In the fourth quarter, Jett Surratt’s 25-yard TD pass to Junior Henderson extended the Bulldogs’ lead to 13, 20-7. Surratt and Henderson connected on a second touchdown pass to put Carthage in front by three scores.

The Pirates scored a consolation touchdown run through Jayven Hernandez, but that was all they could muster before the game clock ran out. Hence, the Bulldogs are back as the University Interscholastic League Class 4A Division 2 football kings.

In addition to adding another Texas high school football state championship to their collection, Carthage closed the season at 16-1. The Scott Surratt-coached crew’s only loss occurred during their season opener against Kilgore. The victory had the Bulldogs finishing the season at 23rd in the On3 Texas Composite Team Rankings.

Meanwhile, La Vega finished its season at 12-4 and ranked 50th in the composite rankings. After starting the season at 2-3, the Pirates completed a ten-game winning streak before losing the state championship game to Carthage.

Clinching another state championship is a fitting end to Carthage interior offensive lineman Kash Courtney, who will play for Arkansas. Meanwhile, edge rusher Colt Hodges moves to the United States Air Force Academy to play for the Falcons.

Conversely, Eythan Thompson’s Texas high school football career ends with this loss. The interior offensive lineman will trade his La Vega jersey for the Houston Cougars uniform.