Preseason Blitz: Carthage Bulldogs

CARTHAGE, TX  (KTAL/KMSS) – The 11-time state champion Carthage Bulldogs are back on the hunt for number 12. Even after sending some of its top talent away to premiere Division I programs, the standard remains the same. "It's different, it's a lot different," said senior Jaden Jeffress. It may be different, but the expectation is the same. "We graduate great players every year its just the next man up, the next group up, the next one," said head coach Scott Surratt. 'Next one' are words the Bulldogs will be living by this season. "Our new mantra this year is next one. And that’s not next championship. That’s next play, next rep, next second, next hour, next day, next practice, next one. Hopefully that will stack into a district championship and other championships, but we’re just going day by day," Surratt said. It’s also next leader. "Just stay positive. These summer workouts, these two a days, we’re here for a while but its alright. As long as we make it through this we can make it back to the ship," said Jeffress. Jeffress is one to look out for on Friday Nights, where he'll be a presence not only on the field, but leading his team on the sidelines. He’s electric. He’s one of the fastest tight ends we’ve had. He had I think 50 catches last year and 10 touchdowns, set some records with yardage, touchdowns, and catches, school records, and we’re hoping he can do the same thing and ever that up a little bit this year," Surratt said. The past three seasons, Surratt's son Jhett has been the Carthage quarterback. Junior Jacob Dixon is stepping into the quarterback position, but he’s got some veteran help like Jeffress. "He’s had a really good camp. He’s gotta play big. We’ve got a lot of the receivers back with JD Edwards, Bryston Price, and Jaden Jeffress, those guys are electric," Surratt said. "I’ve been playing with him for a while, he’s learning, he’s young, I understand that. When we first started playing in high school, I was iffy, but he’s throwing it and I love it," Jeffress said. New faces on the field is the only change in the Carthage offense. "We’re going to be us. Hopefully we’re us. We love to run it, we love to throw it. Hopefully that’s what we can do. We’ve been very balanced since I’ve been here and hopefully we can keep that balance," Surratt said. The Bulldogs open the season on August 28 at Henderson at 7:30 pm. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.