Lindale Seeks Second Early Win at the Expense of Carthage

Lindale Eagles (1-0)

Vs.

Carthage Bulldogs (0-1)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Bulldog Stadium, Carthage

Coaches

• Lindale: Mike Meador
• Carthage: Scott Surratt

Last week

• Lindale: defeated Chapel Hill, 21-17
• Carthage: lost to Hallsville, 52-20

Next week

• Lindale: vs. Van, Sept. 12
• Carthage: vs. Nacogdoches, Spet. 12

Just the facts

• Lindale's defense came up big in the win against Chapel Hill. It held last week's opponent to about five minutes of possession in the second half.
• Lindale's defense allowed 149 yards of passing offense last week, about half of it on a 71-yard touchdown gaffe.
• Carthage's defense allowed 406 yards of offense last week.
• Carthage is in a transitional phase after winning the Class 3A Division I title last year. It returned five starters, two on offense and three on defense.
• Carthage will be leaning on first-year starting quarterback Jarod Blissett to come out strong. Its young running game gained 88 yards on 21 carries and fumbled twice while Blissett threw for 251 yards and two of the squad's three touchdowns.
• Lindale running back Aaron Jackson had 25 touches for 124 yards.
• Lindale quarterback Kam Neely completed 14 of 28 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown.
• Carthage has not lost at home since Sept. 28, 2012 (Whitehouse 29-27).

Playmakers

Lindale

• RB Aaron Jackson, Sr., 5-10, 170 (124 yards on 25 carries, 1 TD)
• QB Kam Neely, Jr. (14 of 28 for 210 yards, 1 TD)
• ATH Kolton Pierce, Sr., 6-1, 183
• LB Stephen Clemmons, Sr.
• LB De Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 195
• ATH Tayton Williams, Jr., 5-7, 160
• OL Colton Moore, Sr.

Carthage

• DL Jarrod McLin, Jr., 6-3, 220
• LB James Marshall, Sr., 6-0, 200
• DL Chris Howard, Sr., 5-10, 190
• WR Jakeldric Jackson, Jr., 5-8, 160 (4 catches, 63 yards, 1 TD)
• WR/DB Kirston Ingram, Jr., 5-9, 175 (3 catches, 78 yards)
• OL/DL Cagan Baldree, Jr., 6-3, 230
• QB Jarod Blissett, Jr. (16 of 32, 251 passing yards, 2 TDs)
• OL Branton Halcumb, Sr.

Key matchup: Carthage's passing offense versus Lindale's defense. The Bulldogs' ground game accounted for 88 yards and fumbled the ball away twice, but first-year starting quarterback Jarod Blissett put together a good game considering it was his first varsity start. He completed 16 of 32 passes for 251 yards and was partially responsible for two of three Carthage scores. Paired with Kirston Ingram and Jakeldric Jackson, who both had more than 60 yards receiving last week, there's promise in the passing game.

Lindale, however, looked very solid against Chapel Hill's passing attack in its last game. Chapel Hill completed 11 of 16 passes for 149 yards, but about half of it came on one 71-yard touchdown reception. The Eagles' secondary is supposed to be deep and will test Blissett and company.

Maybe Carthage tight end Marquise Guinn can make an impact in this game. He had one catch for nine yards last week, but his 6-4 and 225-pound frame makes him a desired target.

The bottom line is, it looks like it's going to take Carthage's new offensive line and young running backs some time to gel into a good group. Lindale should expect Carthage to live or die by the forward pass.

Don't be surpised if: Blissett stands out in the Friday night recap. Win or lose this particular game, he has improved his numbers through two scrimmages and the season-opener. Jackson and Ingram, meanwhile, have showed signs of the players they can be by the end of their high school careers. Blissett has a cannon, and it's only a matter of time before the game slows down for him.