Photo by Brian McLean
BY NOLAN RUTH
X – @RealNolanRuth
MCKINNEY— Ever since the Brock Eagles were promoted from Class 3A to Class 4A, fans around the state have been waiting to see the relatively young program prove itself in its new classification. Friday night, they got the ultimate test against the nine time state champion Carthage Bulldogs in the state semifinal.
Brock had opportunities presented to them early, but could not get the bounces they needed, ultimately falling short 45-17 to the powerhouse from east Texas.
The game started off on a good note for the Eagles when Colt Matlock intercepted a pass from Jett Surratt and set the Brock offense up in excellent field position. However a bad snap was picked up by Carthage’s Daquives Beck and taken for an 80-yard scoop and score to put the Bulldogs up 7-0.
Another Matlock interception two drives later gave Brock a chance to tie the game from the ten yard line, but they ultimately settled for a 27-yard field goal from Brayden Hamel to make the score 7-3 after one quarter of play.
On the opening play of the second quarter, Bulldog running back KJ Edwards broke free and raced 31 yards to paydirt to make the score 14-3. They scored again on a ten yard pass from Surratt to Cade Ross on fourth down to make it 20-3 after a missed extra point.
This time Brock had a quick response with a two play drive that saw Brody Woods find Jesse Rusinek open over the middle from 57 yards out to make it 20-10.
Woods shined for the Eagles, completing 15 of 30 for 237 yards and a touchdown, adding another score on the ground.
However Carthage had an answer and made it 28-10 when Surratt threw the double pass to Carson Crawford, who threw to Junior Henderson from 26 yards out. After a Tylin Williams interception, the Bulldogs extended their lead once more before halftime with a 30-yard field goal from Leo Medrano.
The Eagles closed the gap with the lone score of the third quarter with a quarterback sneak from Woods, but that was all they could muster.
Carthage added two more scores in the fourth quarter behind running back Benny Smith from 29 and 46 yards respectively to bring the final score to 45-17.
Brock’s inaugural season in Class 4A comes to an end with a record of 13-2 and the Region 1 title under its belt. Carthage improves to 14-1 on the year and will face the Waco La Vega Pirates for the 4A Division II state title at 11 a.m. Friday, December 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
