Lindale Seeks To Break The Streak Against Carthage

Carthage Bulldogs (0-1)

vs.

Lindale Eagles (1-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday

Eagle Stadium, Lindale

Coaches

• Carthage: Scott Surratt
• Lindale: Mike Meador

Last week

• Carthage: lost to Hallsville, 39-38
• Lindale: defeated Chapel Hill, 27-0

Next week

• Carthage: at Nacogdoches, Sept. 11
• Lindale: at Van, Sept. 11

Playmakers

Carthage

• TE/DL Jarrod McLin, Sr., 6-3, 215
• WR/TE Marquise Guinn, Sr., 6-4, 220
• QB Jarod Blissett, Sr., 6-1, 200
• WR Jakeldric Jackson, Sr., 5-9, 160
• OL Cagan Baldree, Sr., 6-4, 250
• RB Ravodney Hardy, Sr.
• ATH Hunter Townsend, Soph., 5-11, 185
• LB Mykel Gates, Soph., 5-11, 215
• FB Brewster Griffith, Jr.
• OL Brandon Carlson, Sr., 5-11, 260

Lindale

• LB Kale Ridge, Jr., 6-3, 210
• RB Ryan Taylor, Sr., 5-8, 175
• OL Justin Fisher, Sr., 6-0, 285
• DL Tyler Segrest, Sr., 6-1, 250
• QB Montana Meador, Jr., 5-11, 155
• DL Terrell Cooper, Jr., 6-3, 215
• WR Kendrick Price, Sr., 6-3, 185
• TE Cameron Sir Louis, Jr., 6-3, 205
• WR/DB Tayton Williams, Sr., 5-7, 160
• DB Carson Mizell, Sr., 6-1, 185

Just the facts

• The two teams were in the exact same positions in their last meeting. Lindale had defeated Chapel Hill and Carthage had fallen to Hallsville
• The Eagles have met Carthage in Week 2 of every season since 2010. The Bulldogs own a 4-1 record during the span, including a 22-13 victory last season.
• Lindale's last win against Carthage was in 2011.
• Lindale's shutout of Chapel Hill last week was Chapel Hill's first shutout loss since its 2006 season opener vs. Center -- a span of 110 games.
• The Eagles held Chapel Hill to 195 yards of offense last week. Chapel Hill averaged 438.5 yards per game last season and returned critical skill players to help an overhauled offensive line.
• Carthage fell to Hallsville last week, 39-38, in overtime. Hallsville stopped its game-winning, two-point conversion bid.
• The Bulldogs failed to score on four two-point conversions last week.
• Carthage has not started a season with an 0-2 record since 2007. It has faced the prospect three times in the past seven years.
• Lindale has not started a season 2-0 since 2011.
• With the loss to Hallsville last week, the Bulldogs have gone 6-6 against Class 5A opponents since 2012 -- dating back to win its seniors were freshmen.
• Lindale has a 4-5 record against Class 4A competition in the same span.

Key matchup: Carthage's two-dimensional offense versus Lindale's defense. The Eagles more than held their own against what is expected to be a strong Chapel Hill offense as the season progresses. Can they do it for a second week in a row?

The Bulldogs' offensive line is in better early season shape than Chapel Hill's, so expect Carthage to throw a little more weight in Friday's game. Ravodney Hardy and Brewster Griffith should be able to create some nice things in the run game as a running back-fullback tandem, but the real offensive strength of Carthage is its passing game. Marquise Guinn is built like a tight end and has been playing at wideout. Lindale has no answers size wise for Guinn and maybe no team will all season. Jakeldric Jackson is a threat all around the field as the team's leading receiver from a year ago. Quarterback Jarod Blissett could emerge as one of East Texas' most productive quarterbacks for a second year in a row. He attempted more than 60 throws last week in regulation.

Yet Lindale's defense showed it could play last week. It suffocated Chapel Hill, which hadn't been shut out in 110 games and certainly didn't expect to be held to a goose egg with a nice set to skill players to lead the charge. There's at least one playmaker at every defensive position group for the Eagles, and the team is particularly set at the linebacker spot. Defensive lineman Tyler Segrest and safety Carson Mizell recorded a fumble and interception, respectively, last week.

The Eagles will be tested by Carthage, but Lindale's defensive unit was advertised this offseason as an improvement over last year's unit and lived up to the praise last week.

Don't be surprised if: Special teams come into play, particularly on extra points. Lindale has a strong kicker in senior Jordan Lawless and Carthage getting held out of the end zone on four different two-point conversion attempts last week is an eyebrow raiser. Chasing points missed on failed two-point conversions with more two-point attempts is a great way to compound problems.