The Brownsboro Bears  

CARTHAGE — On another beautiful Friday night for Texas High School Football, the Brownsboro Bears and Carthage Bulldogs did battle.

The defending state champion Bulldogs continued their winning ways with a 45-0 District 8-4A Division II game at Bulldog Stadium.

“We need to forget about that one and take care of business for the rest of the district schedule,” Bears Coach Lance Connot said.

Standout players offensively for Carthage were Kydarius Matlock, Braden Manning, Mikel Fields, Jett Surratt, Kelwin Edwards, Cade Ross, and Benny Smith. The Bears’ Antrone Campbell, Gekyle Baker, and Dominic Davis played well on offense. Defensively, the Bulldogs’ Colt Hodges, Klayton Ingram, Jaydon Lewis, and Daquives Beck were outstanding. For the Bears, Micah Strickland, Jack Anderson, and Dylan Downey performed well.

In the first quarter, the Bears’ Dominic Davis, recovered the opening kickoff. The Bulldogs defense put up a strong defense, and took over on downs. Strickland intercepted the first Carthage pass and returned it inside the Bulldogs 10-yard line. After four unsuccessful attempts to get it in the end zone, Carthage took over again. The Bulldogs drove it down to the Bears’ three-yard line, and eventually scored on a seven-yard pass from Surratt to Ross. Following a Leo Medrano extra point, the Bulldogs led 7-0.

Still in the first quarter, Downey intercepted a Surratt pass. After Thompson hit Baker inside the 10-yard line, the Bears were stopped by a Tedric Pipkins interception at the one-yard line. In three plays Matlock had scored from the 37, on a touchdown run. Medrano’s kick ran the score to 14-0.

The Bears had caused three turnovers, but couldn’t get the ball in the end zone. The second quarter showcased the Bulldogs passing game. Surratt passed 45 yards to Manning, and 81 yards to Matlock for two more touchdowns. Medrano converted both extra points and Carthage led 28-0. Passing got the Bulldogs down to the Brownsboro eight yard, and Smith bulled in for the final touchdown of the half. Medrano made the extra point, running the score to 35-0. Medrano kicked a 49-yard field goal as time ran out in the half

At halftime the score was 38-0. The Bears band, twirlers, flag corps, and Golden Girls put on quite a performance. I was impressed with how Carthage said the pledge of allegiance at the start, even though some spectators didn’t stand. Yes, I yelled at them. The Carthage homecoming was spectacular, mainly because they recognized people who made a difference in their school and community. The Bulldogs scoreboard was quite a sight, also.

In the second half, the Bulldogs scored once in the first 12 minutes. Surratt hit Fields on a 58-yard pass for the touchdown. Medrano added the extra point, and the Carthage lead was 45-0. That ended up being the final score of the game. Both teams played multiple players in the final quarter.

Next week, the Bears (0-2, 4-2) host Bullard for homecoming. The Bulldogs (2-0, 6-0) travel to Canton.