LINDALE — When the teams left for the locker room at the halftime break, the “Pride of Lindale” marching band took the field and put on a show. When the teams returned for the second half, it became clear the entertainment would continue.
For the home fans, that is.
In a rematch of an instant classic from last season, Lindale stepped onto a stage that includes only the state’s best and delivered a wowing performance. A season after letting a potential upset escape their grasp, the Eagles dazzled their crowd in a 33-21 win over Carthage on Friday night at Eagle Stadium.
Carthage (1-1), a three-time defending state champion, prevailed in last season’s meeting between the teams in dramatic fashion, 47-42. The Bulldogs scored the game winner with less than a minute remaining, and produced a stand at the other end of the field as time expired.
Carthage struck first in the rematch and controlled much of the opening quarter, but Lindale (2-0) once again proved it could perform on the same level as Class 3A’s elite programs. Eagles quarterback Clay Price silenced the fifth-ranked Bulldogs with less than five minutes left in the fourth, taking a third-and-14 option keeper 81 yards for a 33-14 lead.
After the final buzzer, a sizable portion of Lindale’s population poured onto the field to celebrate and remained there for some time.
Price, a senior quarterback, finished the game with 13 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Trey Acy, a junior running back, contributed 104 yards on 17 carries and Demarcus Lynch, a junior running back, had 56 yards and two scores on 15 attempts as the Eagles ran for 318 team yards.
Carthage sophomore running back Tevin Pipkin rushed for 143 yards and a score on 14 carries, while sophomore quarterback Blake Bogenshutz completed 12 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two TDs.
Bulldogs senior Edward Pope caught five passes for 123 yards and two scores, but the bulk of his receiving yards came early as Eagles defensive back Aaron Smith contained the 6-4 receiver for much of the game.
The Eagles’ opening drive of the second half was a masterful display of ball control, featuring 13 plays and eating up almost half of the third-quarter clock. Lynch capped the drive with his second touchdown of the night, an 8-yard run that increased the lead to 26-14 with 6:42 on the clock.
Lindale scored 19 points in the second quarter to take a 19-14 lead into the break. The Eagles got scores from Josiah Johnson (10-yard reverse), Price (5-yard run) and Demarcus Lynch (1-yard run).
Pope gave the Eagles matchup problems with his size, elevating to the ball for a 65-yard catch-and-run on the game’s first play. However, the senior fumbled the ball at Lindale’s 15-yard line to give the Eagles a break.
Pope’s next reception ended up in the end zone, though. His 28-yard catch from Bogenshutz gave the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead with 1:12 remaining in the opening quarter (PAT failed).
Besides those plays, Lindale’s game plan to limit Pope’s involvement with the offense turned out quite well because the receiver finished the half with only two catches.
Carthage’s other run came on a 43-yard run down the visiting sideline by Pipkin, who ran for 25 yards just three plays prior.
The Bulldogs were successful on the 2-point conversion attempt to move in front 14-13 with 4:47 left before halftime. Pipkin finished the half with 113 yards on eight carries.
Lindale 33, No. 5 Carthage 21
At Eagle Stadium, Lindale
Carthage 6 8 0 7 — 21
Lindale 0 19 7 7 — 33
First Quarter
CAR—Edward Pope 28 pass from Blake Bogenshutz (kicked failed), 1:12
Second Quarter
LIN—Josiah Johnson 10 run (pass failed), 9:26
LIN—Clay Price 5 run (Luc Swimberghe kick), 5:28
CAR—Tevin Pipkin 43 run (Trent Jackson run), 4:47
LIN—Demarcus Lynch 1 run (pass failed),:39
Third Quarter
LIN—Lynch 8 run (Swimberghe kick), 6:42
Fourth Quarter
LIN—Price 81 run (Swimberghe kick), 4:12
CAR—Pope 12 pass from Bogenshutz (Jimmy Gonzalez kick), 1:18
CAR LIN
First Downs 12 24
Rushes-Yards 16-136 50-318
Comp.-Att.-Int. 12-30-0 5-12-1
Passing Yards 235 60
Punts-Avg. 2-37 2-45.5
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 4-43 4-35
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Carthage, Tevin Pipkin, 14-143; Justin Williams, 1-3; Blake Bogenshutz 1-(-10). Lindale, Clay Price, 13-139; Trey Acy, 17-104; Demarcus Lynch, 15-56; Josiah Johnson, 1-10; Alex Cardenas, 3-13; Micah Simmons 1-(-4).
PASSING—Carthage, Bogenshutz, 12-30-0—235. Lindale, Clay Price 5-12-1—60
RECEIVING—Carthage, Edward Pope, 5-123, Pipkin, 2-42; Terian Goree, 1-32; D.K. Calloway, 1-18; Clint Cage, 1-16; Tasker Shannon, 1-4; Meechie Bowman, 1-0. Lindale, Johnson, 2-32; Trenton SirLouis, 1-17; Lynch, 1-9; Aaron Smith, 1-2.