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GAME PREVIEW

There aren’t many state title games that get played where the two teams involved know each other as well as Carthage and Gilmer. These two have played in the same district at times and have played in non-district for the past several years, 2020 included. Carthage rolled in the regular season meeting, 42-14, but a lot has changed since September 25. Can the Buckeyes turn things around enough to pull the upset? One big question mark going into this one is the status of Carthage QB Kai Horton, who left the Bulldogs win last week over Wimberley with an apparent knee injury. He did return to the game, but will his ability to move around in the pocket and push the ball down field be hampered if he’s less than 100 percent? Horton, who recently received his first FBS offer from Tulane, led Carthage to another dominating win last week as the Bulldogs took down Wimberley 38-7. Horton tossed four touchdown passes on the night, while RB Mason Courtney finished with 127 yards rushing, 83 receiving yards and a rushing and a receiving score. Carthage’s defense continued their dominance by holding an explosive Wimberley offense in check all night. Gilmer advanced to their first state game since 2014 with an impressive 35-21 win over Graham. The Buckeyes raced out to a 35-7 lead behind QB Brandon Tennison, who threw for 278 yards and ran for 112 yards, while accounting for two touchdowns both rushing and passing. WR Dylan Fluellen had a touchdown reception and also notched an interception. Carthage is looking for their eight state title in the past 14 years, a run that’s among the best in the history of Texas High School Football. Head coach Scott Surratt is 7-0 in state title games and the Bulldogs haven’t played a game closer than 17 points all year. All the numbers point to a lopsided Carthage victory, but Gilmer’s got nothing to lose; they are going to play loose and throw everything at Carthage. That keeps this game closer than the first meeting, but Carthage’s defense is too dominant and the Bulldogs offense is too balanced. 

Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 19

- Matt Stepp

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gilmer

QB Brandon Tennison - He can do it all, both through the air and on the ground. Tennison threw for 278 yards and rushed for 112 yards, including TD runs of 3 and 73, in Gilmer’s win over Graham.

WR/DB Dylan Fluellen – The Buckeyes most explosive playmaker is coming into this one as hot as any receiver in the state, having recorded 104 yards on six receptions (34-yard TD) against Graham. He has numerous college offers.

ATH Rohan Fluellen – The sophomore isn’t waiting around to make a name for himself. He’s doing that right now. Rohan marveled last week with a 97-yard punt return for a touchdown, which is precisely the type of play Gilmer will need to make if it wants to pull off the upset.

Carthage

QB Kai Horton – All eyes will be on Horton leading up to kickoff as he momentarily left last week’s win over Wimberley with an apparent knee injury. He tossed four TD passes on the night. He’s the engine that makes this offense go.

RB Mason Courtney – The 5-foot-11, 195-pound Courtney is the definition of “all-purpose.” Look no further than his performance last week against Wimberley when he had over 120 rushing yards, 83 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He’ll also put his body in harm’s way in pass protection.

WR Montrel Hatten – You’ve got to be a flat-out stud to start for Carthage as an underclassman, but that’s exactly what Hatten is doing as a sophomore. He had a 94-yard TD reception against Salado in the Region III Division II semifinals. He already has an offer from Baylor.

KEY MATCHUPS

Alan Metzel vs. Scott Surratt

Carthage coach Scott Surratt is a legendary head coach with seven state championships to his name. Alan Metzel is a first-year coach at Gilmer after a long tenure as an assistant. This is one of the widest experience gaps that you’ll ever see in a state championship game. It’s time, Coach Metzel: Let’s see what you’ve got! 

Gilmer’s Wide Receivers vs. Carthage’s Defensive Backs

To compete with Carthage’s always-tough interior, Gilmer has to take to the skies. Quarterback Brandon Tennison has played well with nearly 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns, but DB Austin Morgan leads a strong secondary that can cause issues for even the most talented of teams. These two teams faced off earlier in the year and Carthage held Gilmer to 14 points, but Gilmer has grown since then.

- Shehan Jeyarajah

PREDICTIONS

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