Live score updates from the Texas High School Football Class 4A Division 2 Championship

The Carthage Bulldogs are in the state championship game for the seventh time this decade.

The defending Class 4A Division 2 champions will look to cap a 16-0 season with a victory against West Orange-Stark at 3 p.m. Friday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

So far, undefeated teams are 3-1 this week in the finals.

Last year, the Bulldogs defeated Waco La Vega, 28-14, for the No. 10 state title.

This is the second all-time record in UIL history and second only to Aledo’s state record.

Carthage’s first playoff berth came in 1943, but all 10 titles have been won since 2008 under coach Scott Surratt.

West Orange-Stark is in the finals for the first time since 2017. The Mustangs are 4-4 in their previous trips to the finals.

The Mustangs are 12-3 heading into its game and avenged a loss to Waco La Vega in the quarterfinals, 35-20, to help State travel to Arlington. La Vega defeated West Orange-Stark, 44-20, in week three.

It was part of a 2-3 start for the Mustangs, winners of 10 straight. West Orange-Stark opened this season with a win over Newton, another state runner-up.

The two teams met in 2013, with the Bulldogs winning 28-14 in the quarterfinals, a season that ended with Carthage winning the state title.

West Orange-Stark

QB Kwalin Dugas, Jr. — He moved from defense to offense this year. He threw for 1,030 yards and 4 touchdowns, while rushing for 676 yards and 10 scores.

RB Khelvy Jefferson, jr. — The offense runs through Jefferson, who has totaled 2,365 yards this year. He had 100 yards in 12 of 15 games and scored 34 touchdowns.

RB Dylan Myers, Sr. — Complementary back, he scored 10 touchdowns on just 81 carries. His 636 rushing yards rank third on the team.

WR Michael Turner III, Sr. — He is the first target in terms of distance covered with 303 on 15 catches.

LB Anterrion Fontenot, jr. — Last year’s District 9-4A D2 Defensive Player of the Year has 151 tackles this year and 7 forced fumbles.

LB Johnathan Johnson, Sr. — His 105 tackles are second on the team.

DB Ja’Cuincy Walker, jr. — His 7 PBUs and 3 INTs lead the team, while he added 62 tackles.

Carthage

QB Jett Surratt Sr. — He will likely cross 10,000 passing yards in this game, needing only 88 to reach that milestone. He threw for a career-high 3,488 yards this year. He enters this game with 49 touchdowns this year and 136 in his career.

RB KJ Edwards, Sr. — The Texas A&M signee averages 13.9 yards per carry. He has 1,932 yards and 29 touchdowns this year.

RB Benny Smith, Sr. — He enters at 72 yards per 1,000 yards this season and has 15 touchdowns.

WR Jaden Jeffress, jr. — The 6-foot-2 tight end has 43 catches for 788 yards and 10 touchdowns.

WR Junior Henderson, sr. — He is the best pass receiver with 13 scores on 35 receptions.

WR JD Edwards, then. — KJ’s little brother has 48 catches for 740 yards and 6 touchdowns.

LB Qui Beck, sr. – Texas A&M signee has 4 fumble recoveries, 7 pass breakups, 2 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 78 tackles and 6 TFLs.

LB Carson Crawford, Sr. —The Colorado signee is a 4-star recruit who is a tackling machine. He has 114 stops, 18 TFL, 6 sacks, 29 QB hurries

SS Tylin Williams, Sr. — Has 100 high school tackles.

CB Jace Harris, then. — Leads the Bulldogs with 5 INTs.

Tell us who you think will win the game with the High School On SI Pick ‘Em Challenge.

You can watch it online for free via the Victory+ app.

Carthage receives the ball first

LANDING! KJ Edwards with an 87-yard TD run. Carthage leads 7-0. 30 seconds of play.

TURNOVER! Carthage stops on 4th down and gets the ball back at 5:33

The 87-yard TD was the 4th longest in UIL championship history; the previous 4th place holder was Edwards on an 86-yard TD run last year.

Carthage back in the red zone

Bulldogs on the 1 yard line when play resumes

Offside on Carthage; now 2nd and goal at 6 instead of 1

4th and goal to come; The Bulldogs start from 4

Timeout by WOS before game

Turnover down! stop at WOS on the 1 yard line. No runs for Edwards after handing the ball off at 1

TURNOVER! Qui Beck forces a fumble and Crawford recovers it for the Bulldogs with 9:03 remaining

Part under review

Plus, the sun is shining, so be prepared that some of the CeeDee Lamb won’t be able to see the upcoming ball games.

This is not a failure; WOS ball always. 4th test to come