This game, on paper, had all the makings of a classic. The Carthage Bulldogs are a bit of a dynasty, having won the 2008, 2009, and 2010 class 3A state championships. The Lindale Eagles (my hometown) were coming off of a 31 - 14 shellacking of last years 3A state champs Chapel Hill. The two teams played an extremely competitive game last season, with the Eagles coming out on top 31-21.
But they don't play the games on paper.
First off, I must say that Carthage's Bulldog Stadium is one of the more impressive high school stadiums I have ever seen. It is clean, spacious, and has a $750,000 jumbotron!
Lindale won the toss and chose to defer. Carthage's opening drive was impressive, as they made the Lindale defense look slow and soft. With less than 3 minutes of game time off the clock, the score was 6 - 0 (high school kickers, whattya gonna do) Carthage.
However, the Lindale offense quickly matched the Bulldog's opening drive with an impressive one of their own. With a made extra point, Lindale took the lead 7 - 6.
Carthage scored just as easily on their second drive as they did on their first, this time going for and converting the two point conversion, taking a 14 - 7 lead. Then things got ugly for Lindale.
The Bulldogs "pooched" the ensuing kickoff, finding an open space in the Lindale return alignment. The ball only took one bounce before a Carthage player scooped it up, making it Carthage ball on the Lindale 25. A few plays later, Carthage was in the endzone again, increasing their lead to 21-7.
And that pretty much sealed it. Right there in the first quarter. Lindale was left playing catch-up the rest of the game. And when your passing attack is poor, catch-up is not a game you play well.
Next week, we'll be heading to New London to watch West Rusk take on Big Sandy. Small town football at its finest. Can't Wait!
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