SR711 - Congratulating the Carthage High School football team on winning a state championship.

          SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 711          WHEREAS, The Carthage High School football team   continued its tradition of excellence by winning the 2024   University Interscholastic League 4A Division 2 state   championship; and            WHEREAS, Demonstrating tremendous resolve after   dropping the first game of the season, the Bulldogs reeled off   nine consecutive victories en route to claiming the district   crown; the squad then carried its momentum into the playoffs,   besting Longview Spring Hill, Krum, Texarkana Pleasant Grove,   and Van High Schools to reach the state semifinals; there,   Carthage earned an 11th all-time trip to the state title game   with a decisive 45-17 win over Brock High School; and            WHEREAS, With the championship on the line, Carthage   took the field against Waco La Vega High School on December 20   at AT&T Stadium in Arlington; taking command early, the   Bulldogs built a 14-7 lead at halftime; they continued to   excel on both sides of the ball down the stretch, posting two   more touchdowns and securing the outcome on the strength of   their fierce defense, which racked up a total of seven sacks   and 15 tackles for loss; triumphing by the final score of   28-14, the Bulldogs collected their 10th state championship   in program history, ending their storybook year with an   outstanding 15-1 record; and            WHEREAS, Offensive Most Valuable Player Kelwin Edwards   rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns, and Defensive MVP   Daquives Beck contributed 10 tackles and a sack; Carthage also   received valuable contributions throughout the campaign from   the other members of the roster: Klayton Ingram, Blake Marion,   Tylin Williams, Makkarius Cooper, Jaydon Lewis, Trey Gant,   Junior Henderson, Jett Surratt, Cale Preston, Cade Ross,   Carson Crawford, Colt Lawhorn, Andrew Gwinn, Kason Burchette,   William Jacks, Jacob Dixon, Bryston Price, Kaidon Graves, Leo   Brown, Jaden Jeffress, Benny Smith, Maure Sheppard, Jakelius   Roquemore, Zee Pearley, Ethen Portley, Grayson Bullock, JD   Edwards, Christian Monreal, Brian Brumit, Zach Dunlap, Jax   Thomas, Zay Owens, Lucas McDaniel, Roston Reid, Jace Harris,   Jesus Lopez, Gabrin Hooker, Colben Foster, Kingston Jones,   Braxton Ritter, Andric Kindle, Seth Wedgeworth, Leo Medrano,   Gael Olvera, Kash Courtney, Latravion Roberts, James Morrow,   Jeremiah Earl, Alex Aviles, Braden Dieter, Jaxon Smith,   Carson Carter, Kooper Knighton, James Koch, Jeremiah Jones,   Colt Hodges, Tyler Ortigo, Braylin Allison, Cooper Walters,   Abraham Santana, Brandon Allison, Jackson Biggs, Charles   Lovil, Caleb Smith, Kaden Gordon, Peyton Duran, and Cooper   Colle; and            WHEREAS, The team is ably guided by head coach Scott   Surratt, who has now won 10 state titles at Carthage, a record   for Texas high school football coaches; the Bulldogs also   enjoyed support from his assistant coaching staff of Paul   Bishop, Marcus Bowman, Zeke Dixon, Clinton Endsley, Craig   Fant, James Foster, Nicholas Hanson, Reggie Hill, Kaden   Holcomb, Demond Horsley, Art Horton, Grant Johnson, Michael   Johnson, Daniel Johnston, Dalton Longenbaugh, Rob McFall,   Ryan Marion, Lee Melton, Austin Morgan, Mike Morgan, Yancarlo   Palacios, Darren Preston, Damon Roberts, JT Romero, Micah   Smith, Matthew Terry, and Charlie Tucker; and            WHEREAS, By once again earning the mantle of state   champions, the Carthage High School Bulldogs have burnished   the school's reputation as a gridiron powerhouse, and this   achievement will be fondly remembered for many years to come;   now, therefore, be it            RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th   Legislature, hereby congratulate the Carthage High School   football team on winning the 2024 UIL 4A Division 2 state   championship and extend to the players, coaches, and staff   sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further            RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be   prepared for the Bulldogs as an expression of high regard from   the Texas Senate.     Hughes                 ________________________________          President of the Senate               I hereby certify that the     above Resolution was adopted by     the Senate on June 1, 2025.                 ________________________________          Secretary of the Senate                 ________________________________           Member, Texas Senate