Kilgore @ Carthage 8/30

[PantherNation2015]

26 minutes ago, HearEmaGrowlin said:

100% correct!  Yesterday, I briefly attended a Labor Day Weekend lunch (not in Carthage), and out of nowhere the owner of the home we were at said Surratt needs to pull Jett, because he’s not good and not athletic at all.

The knee jerk negative reaction some folks have is amazing.  Jett had a very strong first season as the varsity starter last year.  Kilgore forced multiple interceptions last season and this season, they are very good defensively and yes, Jett’s ankle was hurt and his shoulder isn’t quite right.

However, Jett knows the offense well and gives us the best chance to win.

You also don’t want to send any backup out there for his first start against a team like Kilgore.

Kilgore is a strong team and beat us fair and square.

I think our backup QB could do well and he is a really good athlete I just wouldn’t have thrown him to the wolves either.

It was the first game of the year, and a great contest between two teams who are going to be strong contenders to win state.

Carthage will be just fine, and yes, we will lean on KJ.

People always want to act like SS suddenly now only cares about padding his son’s and nephew’s stats.

Guarantee that is inaccurate.  I think people need to understand Kilgore did a fine job of holding KJ in check for the most part.  Now, I would’ve run KJ a bit more too, but this is pre-district and SS has always passed a ton in pre-district no matter who the QB is at the time.

We know what we have in KJ, a stud, but we have a nearly completely new receiving corp and they need reps.

What better opportunity to put them through their paces than against arguably the best secondary in 4A?

The day Surratt leaves will be a very sad day in Carthage, and anyone who thinks otherwise just isn’t very smart.

Striving for 10!

Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!

Here is my take as a fan of East TX High School football.  Carthage fans are spoiled, period.  With all the success comes unrealistic expectations that the first game of the new year will be a continuation of the level of play from the previous December.  There is little understanding of the work required to play at that level.  Lost in the 9 state titles is the respect and understanding for the journey each team has to make to do something special.  Some of the great Carthage teams enjoyed a path paved with red, white, & gold from day one.  Others had to take the overgrown deer trail and cut their way to Arlington with a machete.  It’s unknown yet what the path in 2024 will look like for Carthage.  Enjoy the journey and support the players and coaches in the wins and losses.  There is growth in both.  The only stats that got padded Fri night was the Kilgore secondary.  But remember the QB that had 4 INT’s and an INT on a two point conversion last Fri had the same type game vs Kilgore in 2023.  He ended up with 3,800+ yards and 48 TD’s on the season.  It’s early and there most definitely will be more visible growing pains in the next three weeks, but that is all part of the journey.  Trust the process and be patient!

[HearEmaGrowlin]

11 minutes ago, PantherNation2015 said:

Here is my take as a fan of East TX High School football.  Carthage fans are spoiled, period.  With all the success comes unrealistic expectations that the first game of the new year will be a continuation of the level of play from the previous December.  There is little understanding of the work required to play at that level.  Lost in the 9 state titles is the respect and understanding for the journey each team has to make to do something special.  Some of the great Carthage teams enjoyed a path paved with red, white, & gold from day one.  Others had to take the overgrown deer trail and cut their way to Arlington with a machete.  It’s unknown yet what the path in 2024 will look like for Carthage.  Enjoy the journey and support the players and coaches in the wins and losses.  There is growth in both.  The only stats that got padded Fri night was the Kilgore secondary.  But remember the QB that had 4 INT’s and an INT on a two point conversion last Fri had the same type game vs Kilgore in 2023.  He ended up with 3,800+ yards and 48 TD’s on the season.  It’s early and there most definitely will be more visible growing pains in the next three weeks, but that is all part of the journey.  Trust the process and be patient!

Agree with every bit of that.

Collectively, we have been spoiled as fans, but some of us are still objective enough to know each season means a new cast of characters in key positions, but the most important character is still playing the most key role, and he has the skins on the wall for everyone to trust him and his process.

Good reminder on Jett too, think people let their own human emotions get into their thought process, especially if they perceive someone to be receiving preferential treatment.

Promise you, Scott is harder on Jett than he is any other player on the team and probably anyone he’s ever coached.

During Chalk Talk last year, every week Surratt would be up there going through the game play by play. He’d say, “Terrible read!  Off target throw!! Gotta get better!” talking about Jett, haha! And it wasn’t like Jett played bad just made a bad play here and there, but he doesn’t cut him any slack.

[PantherNation2015]

18 minutes ago, HearEmaGrowlin said:

Agree with every bit of that.

Collectively, we have been spoiled as fans, but some of us are still objective enough to know each season means a new cast of characters in key positions, but the most important character is still playing the most key role, and he has the skins on the wall for everyone to trust him and his process.

Good reminder on Jett too, think people let their own human emotions get into their thought process, especially if they perceive someone to be receiving preferential treatment.

Promise you, Scott is harder on Jett than he is any other player on the team and probably anyone he’s ever coached.

During Chalk Talk last year, every week Surratt would be up there going through the game play by play. He’d say, “Terrible read!  Off target throw!! Gotta get better!” talking about Jett, haha! And it wasn’t like Jett played bad just made a bad play here and there, but he doesn’t cut him any slack.

The injury(s) are a bit of a concern though.  I didn’t know any of the details, and I could see it.  If he doesn’t get healthy (or healthier) soon, Scott is going to have to make a really tough decision.  One he has never had to make as a HC.

[kdogs00]

On 8/28/2024 at 4:40 PM, Sportsfanatic1 said:

As the old saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Can't wait to see this game Friday.

Just FYI...out of the 5 interceptions Friday the Sanders brothers had 3....with younger brother Dre coming up with 2

[BevBrownJr]

On 9/1/2024 at 9:27 AM, PantherNation2015 said:

Here is my take as a fan of East TX High School football.  Carthage fans are spoiled, period.  With all the success comes unrealistic expectations that the first game of the new year will be a continuation of the level of play from the previous December.  

As usual, you have hit the nail on the head. Before the current two-game “losing streak” started last December, Carthage was 110-2 in its last 112 games dating back to the loss in Kilgore in October 2016. I guess it’s just human nature for many to lose sight of the 110-4 record over the past 114 games and to concentrate instead on the 0-2 record since last December.  It always seems to be “what have you done for me lately?”.

[JBizzle]

Let's que up the chorus! "Why's he calling those stupid plays?" "Why doesn't he just hand the ball off?" 
At what point does a man earn the right to make it through one game, a meaningless game, without the idiots second-guessing one of the greatest coaches that Texas Hogh School Football has ever seen???? 
You guys can have a glass of shut-the-hell up! 
Let the man work.

[Aggie98]

Absolutely no reason for Carthage fans to panic. This wasn't some monumental upset.... Carthage lost to a team that has gone 4 rounds deep in D1 3 of the last 4 seasons. We lost this game last year and went on to reel off 12 straight wins against a brutal schedule. In fact, we were one play away from most likely playing in Jerry World last year. This version of the K-dogs may be better than that one (time will tell).... but losing to us by 5 in week 1 is not something to get your panties in a wad about. JMO.

[lugnut]

39 minutes ago, JBizzle said:

Let's que up the chorus! "Why's he calling those stupid plays?" "Why doesn't he just hand the ball off?" 
At what point does a man earn the right to make it through one game, a meaningless game, without the idiots second-guessing one of the greatest coaches that Texas Hogh School Football has ever seen???? 
You guys can have a glass of shut-the-hell up! 
Let the man work.

Love your post! Fans at the HS level are just as fickle as those at the college and pro football level. I find it kinda funny and entertaining!

[Lion7000]

51 minutes ago, JBizzle said:

Let's que up the chorus! "Why's he calling those stupid plays?" "Why doesn't he just hand the ball off?" 
At what point does a man earn the right to make it through one game, a meaningless game, without the idiots second-guessing one of the greatest coaches that Texas Hogh School Football has ever seen???? 
You guys can have a glass of shut-the-hell up! 
Let the man work.

I just think we get overly excited about when you lose! No shame in losing to Kilgore they don’t have the championships but they are definitely a big dog ( pun intended)! 

[DAWG91]

59 minutes ago, Aggie98 said:

Absolutely no reason for Carthage fans to panic. This wasn't some monumental upset.... Carthage lost to a team that has gone 4 rounds deep in D1 3 of the last 4 seasons. We lost this game last year and went on to reel off 12 straight wins against a brutal schedule. In fact, we were one play away from most likely playing in Jerry World last year. This version of the K-dogs may be better than that one (time will tell).... but losing to us by 5 in week 1 is not something to get your panties in a wad about. JMO.

Only difference between this game and most of the others played between these 2 schools is that Kilgore came out on top this time.   Ain't like the C-Dawgs have been blowing them out or anything.  We barely squeaked by them last season.

[Aggie98]

34 minutes ago, DAWG91 said:

Only difference between this game and most of the others played between these 2 schools is that Kilgore came out on top this time.   Ain't like the C-Dawgs have been blowing them out or anything.  We barely squeaked by them last season.

Not many programs will answer that phone call in February. We do. This matchup has always made us better.

[MattStepp]

I recall a spirited debate I had with Carthage fans in May after I was in Kilgore on who had the better defense overall between Kilgore and Carthage......sounds like Kilgore at least after Week 1 gets a slight, slight edge...but man that Carthage D was outstanding Friday night as well....

I still think those are the two 4A state champs in 2024

[DAWG91]

25 minutes ago, Aggie98 said:

Not many programs will answer that phone call in February. We do. This matchup has always made us better.

 yes sir!  Nothing but respect!  Enjoy bragging rights the next year.  You earned it.

[Lion7000]

47 minutes ago, Aggie98 said:

Not many programs will answer that phone call in February. We do. This matchup has always made us better.

Don’t tease us 

[Lion7000]

43 minutes ago, MattStepp said:

I recall a spirited debate I had with Carthage fans in May after I was in Kilgore on who had the better defense overall between Kilgore and Carthage......sounds like Kilgore at least after Week 1 gets a slight, slight edge...but man that Carthage D was outstanding Friday night as well....

I still think those are the two 4A state champs in 2024

 

[HearEmaGrowlin]

1 hour ago, Aggie98 said:

Not many programs will answer that phone call in February. We do. This matchup has always made us better.

Dang right, y’all don’t shy away and that’s awesome!

[HJR7]

47 minutes ago, HearEmaGrowlin said:

Dang right, y’all don’t shy away and that’s awesome!

Agreed! The Kilgore/Carthage week one should be almost cemented at this point. I honestly believe there's mutual respect between both programs and fan bases.  Kilgore roots for Carthage after week one every year, nothing changes this year.

[HearEmaGrowlin]

8 minutes ago, HJR7 said:

Agreed! The Kilgore/Carthage week one should be almost cemented at this point. I honestly believe there's mutual respect between both programs and fan bases.  Kilgore roots for Carthage after week one every year, nothing changes this year.

Likewise!  We do have respect for the K.

[Lion7000]

Carthage already have a bye y’all taking the loss badly ain’t you. We got some experience there and here for you lol. We still ain’t answering the phone but we will pour a drink in your honor!!! 

[HearEmaGrowlin]

Haha, our Bulldogs will be good and will come back strong.

It does sting for the regular season and home winning streaks to come to an end after eight years, but it had to happen sometime.

And when you consistently seek out high quality opponents to play in pre-district you’re eventually going to play a really good team and matchups within the game don’t go your way - Kilgore’s DB’s versus our WR’s, etc.

All’s good, we found some areas that need improvement and our coaches will address them.

The sky isn’t falling and the goals of each season are still on the table; win district, win state. 

[iRockNewbzz]

38 minutes ago, HearEmaGrowlin said:

Haha, our Bulldogs will be good and will come back strong.

It does sting for the regular season and home winning streaks to come to an end after eight years, but it had to happen sometime.

And when you consistently seek out high quality opponents to play in pre-district you’re eventually going to play a really good team and matchups within the game don’t go your way - Kilgore’s DB’s versus our WR’s, etc.

All’s good, we found some areas that need improvement and our coaches will address them.

The sky isn’t falling and the goals of each season are still on the table; win district, win state. 

Don't mind Lion, he's not use to winning streaks  

[iRockNewbzz]

1 hour ago, iRockNewbzz said:

Don't mind Lion, he's not use to winning streaks  

That includes not only Hendo but the Gaggies too!

[Valhalla]

15 hours ago, JBizzle said:

Let's que up the chorus! "Why's he calling those stupid plays?" "Why doesn't he just hand the ball off?" 
At what point does a man earn the right to make it through one game, a meaningless game, without the idiots second-guessing one of the greatest coaches that Texas Hogh School Football has ever seen???? 
You guys can have a glass of shut-the-hell up! 
Let the man work.

Never.

Some of those fans have won the Pee Wee Super Bowl of Panola County, and know what they are talking about.

[DAWG91]

5 hours ago, Lion7000 said:

Carthage already have a bye y’all taking the loss badly ain’t you.

The week 2 bye should be outlawed.  Ridiculous.  I guess this must be a result of nobody hardly picking up the phone?

Edited September 3 by DAWG91

[Lion7000]

25 minutes ago, DAWG91 said:

The week 2 bye should be outlawed.  Ridiculous.  I guess this must be a result of nobody hardly picking up the phone?

lol I agree