Carthage downs Celina 49-37 in last Texas Stadium high school game
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Updated: December 19, 2008
From the pre-game warmups through the final horn, the Carthage Bulldogs were a team on a mission. The mission? Win state. The Carthage crowd reverberated off the historic Texas Stadium walls and if decibel level were a good judge of eventual winner, then the Dawgs had this game in the bag.
Celina brought their tradition, talent, and coaching and proceeded to start the scoring when they took their opening drive down the field for a field goal. The Celina lead didn't last long as Carthage responded with two great drives and looked as though they would run away with the game early, up 14-3. Celina responded with what would come to be their most emotional period. Not only did Celina put up two scores of their own, but a two-point conversion on one of their TDs and an impressive score as time ran out in the half, put them back in the lead 18-14.
The lead went back and forth in the third quarter until the size and power of Carthage took its toll. After being down 25-21, the Bulldogs reeled off four TDs which left them up 42-25 in the fourth quarter. In the end, Carthage ended Celina's goal of winning and unprecedented 9 state titles by winning 49-37.
The night ended with tears all around. Tears of joy for Carthage - tears of pain for Celina - and tears over the era ending 555th high school playoff game to be held at Texas Stadium.
It was a joy to be a part of this game on all fronts.
Chris Doelle
Lone Star Gridiron
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