Carthage came out firing and posted a dominant 63‑34 victory over Pitt >burg to advance in the playoffs.

First Half

• The Bulldogs wasted little time establishing control and racked up large chunks of yardage on the ground. They piled up over 374 rushing yards on the night.
  
  

• QB Jett Surratt was sharp: he completed 75.8 % of his passes, threw for around 300+ yards and tossed six touchdowns.
  
  

• On the ground, running back Benny Smith turned in a standout effort, rushing for 140 yards.

Second Half

• Carthage maintained its momentum rather than letting off the gas. The rush attack stayed dominant, and the Pirates never found rhythm on defense.
  
  

• Pitt >burg managed to stay somewhat in the game, but the gap proved too large. Carthage’s balance—both rushing and passing—made them tough to defend all night.
  
  

Key Standouts

• Jett Surratt: Sophomore/A senior (depending on roster) quarterback who made big plays and avoided mistakes.
  
  

• Benny Smith: A ground‑game workhorse who helped dominate time of possession and field position.
  
  

• The rushing attack overall: 374 yards rushing is massive in a playoff atmosphere. It speaks to Carthage’s ability to control the game.
  
  

• Carthage defense: While the Pirates scored 34 points, Carthage’s ability to keep them off the big‑play map when it counted made a difference—especially on long drives and on 3rd downs.
  
  

What It Means Moving Forward

• Carthage improves to 11‑0 with this win, reinforcing their status as a top contender in 4A Division II.
  
  

• They proved they can dominate in the postseason, not just coast in. That kind of performance sends a strong message to future opponents.
  
  

• The Bulldogs now face a new opponent in the next round with confidence, momentum, and plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball.
  
  

Final Word
Carthage didn’t just win — they asserted their dominance. From the very first snap, they set a tone of physicality, execution, and depth. For their program and for fans of East Texas power football, this game was another chapter in Carthage’s legacy of excellence.

Friday, Nov. 21 • Area Round vs. Sanger Tigers — 7:00 p.m., City Bank Stadium (Forney)

The Carthage Bulldogs (11‑0) are firing on all cylinders as they head into the second round of the 4A Division II playoffs. After a dominant 63–34 win over Pittsburg in the Bi‑District round, the Bulldogs look to maintain their momentum and prove they’re serious contenders to repeat.

Why Carthage Is the Team to Beat

• Unmatched balance on offense. Quarterback Jett Surratt had a huge night against Pittsburg, throwing for 269 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions.
  
  

• Dual-threat running game. The Bulldogs boast a powerful backfield. In their last game, K.J. Edwards rushed for 174 yards in just one half, and Benny Smith added 128 yards and two touchdowns.
  
  

• Big-play defense. Carthage’s defense locked down Pittsburg in the second half, holding them to only 24 total yards.
  
  

• Stability and pedigree. Head coach Scott Surratt, backed by a veteran roster, has built a program that knows how to win in the postseason. Carthage is coming off a state title last year. 

• Consistency and dominance. The Bulldogs recently extended their district winning streak to 48 games.
  
  

What Sanger Brings to the Table

• According to match preview listings, Sanger enters this matchup at 7‑2.
  
  

• While not as widely covered as Carthage, Sanger will likely lean into being the underdog — if they protect the ball and sustain long drives, they could give Carthage trouble.
  
  

• The pressure will be on Sanger to slow Carthage’s tempo, especially limiting the big-run plays and forcing Carthage off-script.
  
  

Key Storylines to Watch

1. Can Carthage establish the run early? If Edwards and Smith get going, Carthage can control the clock and keep Sanger's offense off the field.
   
   

2. Surratt’s decision-making. For Carthage to stay dominant, Surratt needs to continue spreading the ball efficiently and avoid turnovers.
   
   

3. Sanger’s response under pressure. Whether they can stay composed when Carthage applies defensive pressure will be critical.
   
   

4. Penalty discipline. In previous games, Carthage has shown they can be penalized; keeping the mistakes to a minimum will help maintain their edge.
   
   

5. Time of possession. If Carthage can dominate possessions, they limit Sanger’s opportunities to mount a comeback.
   
   

Prediction:
Carthage has all the tools — a powerful ground game, a sharp passing attack, and a defense that can shut down opponents when needed. I expect them to win convincingly, projected score: Carthage 45 – Sanger 21.