JF345

Congratualtions to Carthage! Great win. They made big plays and capitalized on mistakes throughout. Many parts of the game unfolded as I thought they might. I didn't think Wylie would turn it over 6 times, but it was a testimony to both teams that it was a one score game with 8 minutes to play.

I agree, but Carthage is such a strong team. Hard to favor Wylie by 5. I agree, but it's hard to favor Wylie by 5. Carthage is such a strong team.

This should be a really fun game. Great fans, players, and coaches. Good luck to the Bulldogs, all of them.

I recognize that Surratt is brilliant, and my comments about Sandifer's coaching are no disrespect to him. I am telling you the game planning at Wylie has been unbelievable over the last 2 years. This team has improved exponentially from week to week, and they get are getting the most out of their players. I don't think there's a way to maximize players any more than they are doing. There's no question that Carthage has more talent and speed going into this game, but I think you'll be shocked at the tackling and scheme you'll see out of Wylie. This isn't the steel curtain, and I didn't make that claim. But Wylie is a solid high school team on par with the strong teams that Carthage has played this year.

I think realeagle has it right with a close Wylie win. Wylie will turn this game into a grind with a lower score. The big throws that Carthage is used to getting won't be there. If Carthage takes shots down the field, they'll turn it over. To repeat: the Carthage short and intermediate throws will be hard to come by. The Wylie secondary hits hard, and their coverage schemes are dynamic, not what you usually see at the high school or college level. Wylie will make them string together plays. Will Carthage hit on one or two long runs from scrimmage? Maybe, but expect a defensive game where possession time and turnovers key the win. Two other factors: 1. The Wylie offense is much better than advertised. If you're only looking at the Kennedale game, keep in mind that the easiest way to beat that elite K. team was to let them implode. That's what they were close to doing all year. 2. Hugh Sandifer is on a roll as the Wylie coach. He's a hall-of-famer doing perhaps his finest work yet, winning with teamwork, not stars.