Santana Moss barely remembers uttering the phrase, but in a 2005 interview he appreciated the reminder.

“Big time players make big time plays,” the former Miami Hurricane receiver reportedly said back in 2000.

Throughout a highly entertaining Friday session of UIL state championship games, Moss’ phrase played out in title wins by Carthage, Texarkana Pleasant Grove and Alvin Shadow Creek. Each of Friday’s champions got standout performances from a variety of players, but one thing remained constant: each team’s top player delivered when it mattered most.

“We talked about this all week,” Carthage coach Scott Surratt said after his Bulldogs defeated Waco La Vega 42-28 to win the school’s seventh title and third in four years. “This is your last game. We’ve practiced the maximum amount of practices that we can, and now it’s time for you to play your best. And I thought that’s what he did.”

In Carthage’s case, “he” is senior receiver Kelvontay Dixon. After a first quarter in which he gained just eight yards on three touches, Dixon took over the game. He caught touchdown passes on three consecutive drives to erase La Vega’s 14-7 lead. His 22-yard grab with three seconds left in the second quarter gave the Bulldogs their first lead, and his 63-yard touchdown catch on Carthage’s first play of the third quarter put his team in complete control.

“After the first catch, the momentum got to me and then I just did what I needed to,” Dixon said.

After a seven-catch, 120-yard performance, Surratt wasn’t quite ready to let his senior receiver go.

“He’s electric,” Surratt said. “We’re going to redshirt him so he can come back here next year. And all of our other seniors too.”