LINDALE – The Carthage Bulldogs were able to withstand a second-half rally from the Lindale Eagles to claim a 24-20 win Friday night at Eagle Stadium.

Lindale, which trailed 17-7 at the half, controlled most of the second half and was moving smartly down field in Carthage territory with just under two minutes left in the game.

But on fourth-and-6 from the Carthage 42, junior safety Brewster Griffith stepped in front of a Montana Meador pass near the sideline to seal the Bulldogs’ first win of the year.

Carthage's Jarrod McLin catches a touchdown pass during the Bulldogs' 24-20 win at Lindale on Sept. 4. (Bud Worley, ETSN.fm)
Carthage's Jarrod McLin catches a touchdown pass during the Bulldogs' 24-20 win at Lindale on Sept. 4. (Bud Worley, ETSN.fm)
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Carthage (1-1) opened the game with an efficient 11-play drive that covered 63 yards and was capped on an 11-yard scoring pass from quarterback Jarod Blissett to running back Ravodney Hardy.

The Bulldogs scored on their next possession as well, with Jarrod McLin hauling in a 5-yard scoring toss from Blissett.

A 23-yard field goal from Rafael Hernandez pushed the Carthage lead to 17-0 with 5:30 left in the half.

Lindale (1-1) righted the ship, however, and drove 69 yards in nine plays with running back Ryan Taylor bulling over from 3 yards out to trim the Bulldog advantage to 17-7.

The Eagles took advantage of a 55-yard kickoff return by Tayton Williams to open the second half and moved in for their second touchdown, an 8-yard run from Taylor. With 9:31 left in the third period, the Eagles were back in the game at 17-14.

Carthage then drove 67 yards, with Blissett and Hardy doing the bulk of the damage, to score its third TD of the game on a 1-yard plunge from Blissett.

After Tiko Porter intercepted a Blissett pass on Carthage’s next drive, Lindale’s Jordan Lawless drew the Eagles closer with a 23-yard field goal.

The Eagle defense held again, but the offense couldn’t get closer than the Carthage 21.

Once again, Lawless was true on the field goal, with one from 38 yards.

Carthage's Hunter Townsend looks for running room during the Bulldogs' 24-20 win at Lindale on Sept. 4. (Bud Worley, ETSN.fm)
Carthage's Hunter Townsend looks for running room during the Bulldogs' 24-20 win at Lindale on Sept. 4. (Bud Worley, ETSN.fm)
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