Carthage 31, Abilene Wylie 17

By Michael Wright
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Updated: December 16, 2016

Abilene Wylie Bulldogs (13-1) vs. Carthage Bulldogs (12-2), 4 p.m. Friday, Arlington's AT&T Stadium

AT&T Stadium - The Carthage Bulldogs scored 31 of the games last 34 points to beat the Abilene Wylie Bulldogs 31-17 in the Class 4A Division I State Championship game. This was Carthages 5th championship in 6 tries. All 5 wins coming since 2008. Abilene Wylie falls to 1-3 in championship games. They won the 2004 3A Division I Championship.

Abilene Wylie got a good kickoff return to their 49 to open the game. Four plays later their quarterback Zach Smith hit a wide open Gatlin Martin from 32 yards out to take a 7-0 lead. Wylie forced a Carthage punt and then went on a 64 yard drive that ended with a 5 yard pass from Smith to Martin. With 5:55 left in the 1st, Wylie led 14-0. Carthage responded by converting on a 4th and 16 from the Wylie 25 for a touchdown. Quarterback Kason Davis threw to receiver Dewaylolr Ingram for the score. That brought the score to 14-7 with 23 seconds left in the 1st. Carthage defensive lineman Tre Gatlin stripped the ball on the next play from scrimmage and it was recovered at the Wylie 14 by lineman Austin Russell. The quarter ended with Carthage on the Wylie 2.

Carthage back Keontay Ingram ran it in from 2 yards out on the first play of the 2nd quarter. That brought the score to 14 all with 11:55 left until half. After a Wylie punt, Carthage drove from their 23 yard line to the Wylie 9. From there they kicked a 26 yard field goal to make the score 17-14 with 2:08 remaining until halftime. Wylie got a big 44 yard kickoff by Cason Grant to start their drive. A long pass to receiver Tyler Henson set Wylie up at the 5 yard line. They kicked a 27 yard field goal with 4 seconds left to even the score at 17. That is how the half ended.

Carthage got the ball first to open the 2nd half. After a short drive, Wylie defensive back Anthony Guerrero intercepted the ball. Carthage defensive back Mekhi Colbert got an interception of his own and returned it to the Carthage 13 yard line. After a punt and a turnover, Wylie had the ball at their 13 yard line. Carthage intercepted and returned it to the Wylie 43 as the quarter ended.

Davis was able to punch it in from 1 yard out to give Carthage a 24-17 lead with 8:10 left in the game. Carthage got another interception on the next Wylie possession when Mason Graham caught a tipped ball. Carthage capitalized as running back Keontay Ingram scored from 15 yards out. That brought the score to 31-17 with 3:49 left. Graham intercepted another tipped pass on Wylies next possession at the Carthage 40 yard line. Carthage was able to run the clock out from there.

Lone Star Gridiron

Attendance: 24,139

Players of the game:
Offensive Player of the Game - Keaontay Ingram, Running Back Carthage
Defensive Player of the Game - Austin Russell Defensive Lineman Carthage