Top 25 Games of 2018: No. 22 Carthage at Liberty-Eylau

When Carthage and Liberty-Eylau faced off this past season, the game was closer than many might have imagined.

Carthage, with star running back Keaontay Ingram leading the way, entered the game as the heavy favorite. Although the Bulldogs eventually won, 48-38, Liberty-Eylau kept it closer than many anticipated, down only a field goal when the fourth quarter began.

This season, the teams will meet again on Sept. 7 in Texarkana with most of the key contributors from Carthage's 2017 4A Division I championship having graduated. The Bulldogs do return quarterback Gunner Capps, however, and Ingram's younger brother Kelvontay Dixon is expected to take his place in the backfield.

Liberty-Eylau bring back a few explosive athletes from its 2017 campaign. Isaiah Cross, who posted 842 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this past season is back and will take over as quarterback after the graduation of Decorian Phillips. Dazawion Cooper will likely be his main target after recording 934 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2017.

This will be the third consecutive season the Bulldogs and Leopards have faced each other and the fifth time since 2005. Carthage is 3-1 in the meetings, with Liberty-Eylau's lone victory coming in 2005 by score of 12-0.

ETSN.fm's Top 25 Games of 2018

• No. 22: Carthage at Liberty-Eylau
• No. 23: Van at Gilmer
• No. 24: Van at Pittsburg
• No. 25: Liberty-Eylau at Gilmer