Carthage had been in control at the halftime break Friday, but this season's Lindale team appears to be much tougher than last year's edition.

It didn't fold. And it pushed the Bulldogs to the final minute.

Linebacker Brewster Griffith sealed the game, a 24-17 Carthage win, by jumping a dead-on pass toward the sideline on 4th-and-six at his own 42 yard line. For his efforts and a strong overall defensive game for the Bulldogs overall, Griffith is the ETSN + Dairy Queen Defensive Player of the Week.

Griffith follows Longview defensive back Ameron Dean, the Week 1 winner of the award.

Lindale charged back from a 17-7 halftime deficit spearheaded by 55-yard opening kickoff return by Tayton Williams to make it a 17-14 game.

But Carthage's defense was tough to beat under normal field position circumstances. It held the Eagles to two long-range field goals the rest of the way before Lindale's final drive and Griffith's game-ending interception.

The victory elevated the Bulldogs' record to 1-1 and came on the heels of an overtime loss to Hallsville.

Griffith and Carthage will visit Nacogdoches this week. The Dragons fell to Hallsville in overtime Friday and also are owners of a 1-1 record.

ETSN.fm/Dairy Queen Defensive Players of the Week

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