Carthage Rolls to 11th State Championship

By Steve Thomas
- Tweet
- Pin It
Updated: December 21, 2025

Bulldogs stomp West Orange Stark for third title in five years

Carthage Head Coach Scott Surratt has established himself as a Texas high school coaching legend. With Surratt at the helm, the Bulldogs have never lost a state championship game. On Friday night, the Bulldogs extended their state championship winning streak to 11 with a 49-21 drubbing of the West Orange Stark Mustangs.

From the beginning, the Bulldogs made sure the game was never in doubt. Running back and offensive MVP KJ Edwards set the pace with an 87-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Edwards also scored the next touchdown. Ultimately, Edwards accrued 153 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game with an undisclosed injury. Before West Orange Stark could gather themselves, the Bulldogs were up 28-0 at halftime.

In the second half, the rout continued. Defensive MVP Tylin Williams blocked a punt on Stark's opening drive and returned it for a touchdown. The bulldogs added two more touchdowns including a 52-yard run by running back Benny Smith. West Orange-Stark was able to score three touchdowns in garbage time thanks, in part, to several miscues by the Bulldogs on offense and special teams.

Amidst all the joy of winning his eleventh state championship, Friday's game also had a bittersweet tinge to it. The game marked the last one for his son, senior quarterback Jett Surratt. Jett Surratt made the most of his swansong throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns. Regarding his son's final game with Carthage, Coach Surratt acknowledged, "I was alright until I got to my wife. Then, she started crying; and then I started tearing up."