Carthage running back KJ Edwards is named the Offensive MVP for the Class 4A Division II championship game Friday afternoon at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. (Michel Alfaro/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

ARLINGTON — After a scoreless first quarter that included just 18 yards on two plays, Carthage knew it needed a spark early in the second quarter.

A 24-yard completion from Jett Surratt to Carson Crawford was followed by a 21-yard touchdown run from KJ Edwards to put the Bulldogs on the board for a 7-0 lead with 11 minutes left in the second quarter.

With 3:40 remaining in the first half and the score tied at 7, Carthage had the ball at its own 14-yard line. Edwards got the ball and went up the middle, was met at the 18-yard line by three defenders, spun through the attempted tackles, then broke another tackle at the 20 and was off to the races.

“I knew nobody could catch me out in space,” Edwards said. “They’ve got a very speedy defense, but I once I get out in space, ain’t nobody catching me.”

Those were the final two touchdowns for the Bulldogs until scoring passes of 24 and 19 yards from Jett Surratt to Junior Henderson in the final 6:24 of the fourth quarter on the way to a 28-14 victory over Waco La Vega in the Class 4A Division II championship game Friday afternoon at AT&T Stadium — the Bulldogs’ 10th state title as a program.

“It means a lot,” Edwards said. “Last year, we didn’t quite get the job done, but we came in this year with a chip on our shoulder. This year, we proved we are back.”

Edwards finished the game with 188 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, and he caught a 5-yard pass. Edwards was named the game’s Offensive MVP.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my O-line,” Edwards said. “They did a phenomenal job.”

“Once he gets to the second level, we know he’s going to make a play,” Carthage offensive lineman Kash Courtney said.

Edwards joined Mason Courtney (2020) and Keaontay Ingram (2016), who is currently in the NFL, as Carthage running backs to win Offensive MVP in the state championship game since 2010 when the state games were moved to one location for all classifications.

“Cheering for the Bulldogs when I was younger and now I’m actually playing for the Bulldogs, it means a lot,” Edwards said.

“We call him lightning, but he’s very physical,” Carthage head football coach Scott Surratt said. He does a great job in the passing game. He’s our third down back for protection. He is durable, and he is just a great player.”

Edwards had 10 offensive touches in the state championship game as a freshman when Carthage took a 42-0 win over Wimberley. Edwards had nine carries for 32 yards to go along with a 14-yard reception in that game.

Now a junior, Edwards finished the 2024 season with 142 carries for 1,789 yards and 23 touchdowns, and he had 30 catches for 383 yards and three touchdowns.

Edwards is a four-star running back, ranked as the No. 33 recruit nationally and No. 3 running back in the Class of 2026 by the On3 Industry rankings. Rivals has Edwards slotted as the No. 1 running back in the country for the Class of 2026. Edwards holds several offers with the likes of Texas, SMU, Oregon, USC, Texas A&M, Georgia, Miami, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Stanford, Michigan and Ole Miss among them.