Carthage downs Liberty-Eylau in Texas high school football bi-district playoffs
LONGVIEW, TEXAS - Amidst a constant downpour, Carthage started its postseason march to what the Bulldogs hope culminate in their 10th state title.
Up 7-0 entering the second quarter, the Bulldogs exploded for 28 points in that span in building a commanding 35-0 advantage. Carthage went on to record a 42-0 win against Liberty-Eylau Thursday night at Pine Tree Pirate Stadium in the bi-district round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs.
In that opening half, Carthage (11-0) got its five touchdowns from its dynamic sophomore duo of quarterback Jett Surratt and tailback KJ Edwards.
Edwards scored the Bulldogs' first two TDs, a 9-yard run on the opening drive that capped a seven-play 83-yard march, and a 5-yard burst early in the second quarter to make it 14-0.
Carthage went on to score TDs on each of its next three drives to cap the first half, all on three passes from Surratt. All three went to three different receivers, and all three scoring tosses came in a span of less than three minutes.
Surratt connected with senior receiver Bradan Manning on a 39-yard strike with 3:12 remaining in the first half. Then after the Bulldogs got the ball back following a Leopards' punt, Surratt found senior tailback KD Matlock on a screen pass, and Matlock raced in from 49 yards out.
Right before halftime, Liberty-Eylau fumbled a snap, which was recovered by the Bulldogs inside the Leopard 5. Two plays later, Surratt threw a quick slant over the middle to junior Blake Marion from 3 yards out, and with 28 seconds still left until halftime, the Bulldogs built their 35-point margin.
Then on the second play of the second half, Carthage got its final TD on a 36-yard run from sophomore Benny Smith.
Carthage is seeking to repeat its 4A Division II state title and win its 10th championship since 2008, all under coach Scott Surratt.
Photo of Carthage RB KJ Edwards by Robbie Rakestraw
-- Buck Ringgold | buck@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveTX
