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.”

Texarkana Pleasant Grove almost limped into its 4A, Division II title game against Wimberley. Quarterback Ben Harmon got hurt early in the game, and standout Nick Martin missed the title game with an injured knee. That left Bruce Garrett to carry the load. The same Garrett who missed the bulk of the Hawks’ semifinal win over Midland Greenwood.

Garrett proved healthy enough to carry the Hawks past the Texans for their second title in three years. He rushed for 254 yards on 25 carries including two long touchdowns as the Hawks wore down Wimberley’s defense.

Pleasant Grove coach Josh Gibson credited Garrett for his bounce-back performance in the title game but also gave a nod to the players who helped the Hawks reach the pinnacle, including a player who didn’t carry the ball in the title game.

“You saw Bruce do it this week,” Gibson said. “There have been three games where he didn’t have great production. Sergio Rodriguez set a school record two weeks ago and K.J. Hicks had a phenomenal game.”

In the finale, Shadow Creek quarterback Kyron Drones ran his team into position to claim the state title in its second year. Drones passed for 185 yards and rushed for another 135 yards and two scores.

“You gotta show that you’re good for this moment,” Drones said. “I showed it today and I’m going to keep showing it, too.”

For all he did in the first 47:58, Drones spent the final two seconds in the same spot as the 18,139 fans who enjoyed watching Friday’s stars do their thing. When Ryan’s Hail Mary escaped Drew Sanders’ grasped, Drones’ reacted just like the other fans.

“All I could do was scream,” Drones said after seeing the ball fall to the turf. “Just scream and jump up. That’s it. And be happy that we are state champions right now.”