SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 711

WHEREAS, The Carthage High School football team continued its tradition of excellence by winning the 2024 University Interscholastic League 4A Division 2 state championship; and

WHEREAS, Demonstrating tremendous resolve after dropping the first game of the season, the Bulldogs reeled off nine consecutive victories en route to claiming the district crown; the squad then carried its momentum into the playoffs, besting Longview Spring Hill, Krum, Texarkana Pleasant Grove, and Van High Schools to reach the state semifinals; there, Carthage earned an 11th all-time trip to the state title game with a decisive 45-17 win over Brock High School; and

WHEREAS, With the championship on the line, Carthage took the field against Waco La Vega High School on December 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington; taking command early, the Bulldogs built a 14-7 lead at halftime; they continued to excel on both sides of the ball down the stretch, posting two more touchdowns and securing the outcome on the strength of their fierce defense, which racked up a total of seven sacks and 15 tackles for loss; triumphing by the final score of 28-14, the Bulldogs collected their 10th state championship in program history, ending their storybook year with an outstanding 15-1 record; and

WHEREAS, Offensive Most Valuable Player Kelwin Edwards rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and Defensive MVP Daquives Beck contributed 10 tackles and a sack; Carthage also received valuable contributions throughout the campaign from the other members of the roster: Klayton Ingram, Blake Marion, Tylin Williams, Makkarius Cooper, Jaydon Lewis, Trey Gant, Junior Henderson, Jett Surratt, Cale Preston, Cade Ross, Carson Crawford, Colt Lawhorn, Andrew Gwinn, Kason Burchette, William Jacks, Jacob Dixon, Bryston Price, Kaidon Graves, Leo Brown, Jaden Jeffress, Benny Smith, Maure Sheppard, Jakelius Roquemore, Zee Pearley, Ethen Portley, Grayson Bullock, JD Edwards, Christian Monreal, Brian Brumit, Zach Dunlap, Jax Thomas, Zay Owens, Lucas McDaniel, Roston Reid, Jace Harris, Jesus Lopez, Gabrin Hooker, Colben Foster, Kingston Jones, Braxton Ritter, Andric Kindle, Seth Wedgeworth, Leo Medrano, Gael Olvera, Kash Courtney, Latravion Roberts, James Morrow, Jeremiah Earl, Alex Aviles, Braden Dieter, Jaxon Smith, Carson Carter, Kooper Knighton, James Koch, Jeremiah Jones, Colt Hodges, Tyler Ortigo, Braylin Allison, Cooper Walters, Abraham Santana, Brandon Allison, Jackson Biggs, Charles Lovil, Caleb Smith, Kaden Gordon, Peyton Duran, and Cooper Colle; and

WHEREAS, The team is ably guided by head coach Scott Surratt, who has now won 10 state titles at Carthage, a record for Texas high school football coaches; the Bulldogs also enjoyed support from his assistant coaching staff of Paul Bishop, Marcus Bowman, Zeke Dixon, Clinton Endsley, Craig Fant, James Foster, Nicholas Hanson, Reggie Hill, Kaden Holcomb, Demond Horsley, Art Horton, Grant Johnson, Michael Johnson, Daniel Johnston, Dalton Longenbaugh, Rob McFall, Ryan Marion, Lee Melton, Austin Morgan, Mike Morgan, Yancarlo Palacios, Darren Preston, Damon Roberts, JT Romero, Micah Smith, Matthew Terry, and Charlie Tucker; and

WHEREAS, By once again earning the mantle of state champions, the Carthage High School Bulldogs have burnished the school's reputation as a gridiron powerhouse, and this achievement will be fondly remembered for many years to come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby congratulate the Carthage High School football team on winning the 2024 UIL 4A Division 2 state championship and extend to the players, coaches, and staff sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the Bulldogs as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 1, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate