Carthage Coach Scott Surratt Notches 100th Career Win In Bulldogs’ Rout of Palestine

PALESTINE – Carthage receiver Jakeldric Jackson had three touchdown receptions as part of a six-catch, 213-yard game to lead the Bulldogs past Palestine, 48-14, in a District 9-4A Division I game Thursday at Wildcat Stadium.

Starting the aerial assault was quarterback Jarod Blissett, who passed for 286 yards and three touchdowns.

It was the 100th career victory for Carthage coach Scott Surratt, which also includes four state championships since taking over the Bulldogs in 2007.

“I've got the best job in Texas, and I can't thank the people who hired me enough,” Surratt said. “I thank my former players and my coaches, too. I've got five coaches who have been with me since the beginning, and they're just as much a part of it.”

Carthage (6-3, 3-1) clinched a playoff berth, its ninth consecutive postseason appearance. Palestine (1-8, 0-4) has lost seven consecutive games, and was eliminated from postseason contention.

Carthage scored touchdowns on all five of its first-half drives, starting with a 56-yard march capped by an 8-yard touchdown pass from Blissett to Jarrod McLin on its opening drive.

Palestine couldn't convert on a couple scoring chances early. After its second drive stalled, Ben Mathison recovered a muffed punt by Jackson at the Carthage 39-yard line, but the Wildcats managed just 4 yards on its next four plays. Two plays after Carthage got the ball back, Keaontay Ingram sprinted 52 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 13-0 lead with 3:04 remaining in the first quarter.

Palestine marched to the Carthage 19-yard line on its third drive, but on a third-down play, a Claude Rodgers pass was intercepted by Nick Moore and returned 37 yards. Two plays later, Jackson made up for his turnover with a 56-yard touchdown catch from Blissett.

Palestine got on the scoreboard with 6:51 to play in the second quarter when Irric Deyon burst up the middle for a 67-yard touchdown run, part of a 104-yard first half for the junior tailback. Three plays later, however, Jackson got free again for a 65-yard touchdown pass from Blissett.

Carthage had a masterful two-minute drive to end the first half, moving 56 yards in 52 seconds before a 2-yard touchdown run by Hardy gave the Bulldogs a 34-7 advantage.

Carthage opened the second half with an 83-yard drive capped by a 28-yard scoring strike from Blissett to Jackson. Two plays later, Kelan Foster forced Deyon to fumble, and Deairreus Hearn returned the loose ball for a touchdown.

Palestine went on a 14-play, 67-yard drive that consumed 7:48 of time before Devonte Mims punched it in from 1 yard on the first play of the fourth quarter. Palestine was generally successful running the ball between the tackles, finishing with 249 rushing yards. Deyon provided 128, while Mims had 91 in his last game at Wildcat Stadium.

Palestine's Tyler Gray, who was the Wildcats' starting quarterback for the first half of the season, saw extended playing time at receiver, making five receptions for 81 yards. Carthage's Jordan Romero and McLin led all players with seven tackles apiece.

Palestine concludes its 2015 season at Brownsboro next Friday, while Carthage hosts Chapel Hill.