Blake Bogenschutz Throws Five First-Half Touchdowns in No. 6 Carthage’s 44-7 Homecoming Blowout of Rusk

CARTHAGE -- Senior quarterback Blake Bogenschutz needed two touchdown passes to tie Carthage's career record. He did that and more Friday night on homecoming.

Bogenschutz tossed five first-half touchdowns passes as sixth-ranked Carthage built a six-touchdown halftime lead en route to a 44-7 blowout of Rusk on Friday at Bulldog Stadium.

Bogenschutz, who entered the game with 82 career touchdown throws, completed 13 of 20 passes for 252 yards and five touchdowns to give him 87 for his career. Anthony Morgan, who led Carthage to the second and third of their three-peat Class 3A Division II championships from 2008-10, was the previous record-holder with 84.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Bogenschutz, who is committed to UTSA, broke Morgan's school record for career passing yards in last week's loss at Whitehouse. In Carthage's first six games, Bogenschutz has thrown for almost 2,000 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only three interceptions.

He threw two touchdown passes apiece to senior receivers Terian "Tee" Goree and O'Keeron Rutherford, who had four catches for a game-high 107 yards. Rutherford's scores covered 68 yards -- on the game's first play -- and 14 yards. Goree, who caught four throws for 87 yards, had touchdowns of 23 and 51 yards to give him 15 for the season. That's three shy of Jalen Claiborne's single-season record of 18 set in 2010.

Sophomore Jakeldric Jackson caught four passes for 42 yards, including a seven-yard touchdown for a 44-0 Carthage lead with 2:19 left in the first half.

Carthage finished 495 total yards to Rusk's 201. The Bulldogs had 225 rushing yards, including 121 on 14 carries from junior Tredarion Jackson. Senior Tevin Pipkin ran seven times for 83 yards, including a 33-yard second-quarter touchdown for a 30-0 lead.

None of Carthage's offensive starters played in the second half.

Carthage's defense, which recorded a first-quarter safety for a 23-0 lead, picked off three passes thanks to senior cornerback Trevor Cooper, senior cornerback Keldrean Strong, and senior linebacker D'vodney Brooks. Senior lineman Mario McCain and Johnathan Brown had one sack apiece.

Isiah Francis led Rusk with 47 yards on seven carries, while D.J. Glenn ran nine times for 42 yards and the Eagles' lone touchdown, which came with fewer than five minutes remaining in the game. Taylor Sturns caught three passes for 36 yards.

Carthage opens District 20-3A play Friday night at Huntington. Rusk visits Fairfield in a District 19-3A opener.

-- stats courtesy Panola Watchman