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šŸˆ East Texas’s Golden Ticket: Carthage and Kilgore Headed to Arlington for UIL State Championships!

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ARLINGTON, Texas ā€” East Texas football is preparing for a monumental Friday, December 19th, as two of its most storied programs, the Carthage Bulldogs and the Kilgore Bulldogs, have punched their tickets to the UIL State Championship games at AT&T Stadium. The region is buzzing as both teams bring their dominant seasons to a close on the sport’s biggest stage, marking a truly historic moment for the Piney Woods.

Carthage in Pursuit of Back-to-Back Glory (4A Division II)

The Carthage Bulldogs (15-0) secured their spot with a decisive 49-21 victory over Brock in the Class 4A Division II state semifinals, continuing their pursuit of a second consecutive state title and a remarkable eleventh overall. Coach Scott Surratt’s squad, fueled by a relentless offense and a stingy defense, steamrolled through the playoffs. Quarterback Jett Surratt, with his spectacular 3,225 yards and 45 touchdowns this season, leads an aerial attack complemented by the power running of KJ Edwards.

Carthage will face the West Orange-Stark Mustangs (12-3) in the Class 4A Division II final at 3:00 PM on Friday, Dec. 19. For Carthage, it’s a chance to cement an ongoing dynasty, as they haven’t tasted defeat since last season’s state championship game.

Kilgore’s Quest for Redemption (4A Division I)

In the Class 4A Division I bracket, the Kilgore Bulldogs (14-1) delivered a statement performance in the semifinals, dismantling La Vernia with a commanding 49-0 shutout. This victory earns Kilgore a trip back to the state championship game for the second year in a row.

Kilgore’s only loss this season came in a hard-fought battle against their neighboring East Texas rivals, Carthage, back in August. Now, Head Coach Clint Fuller’s team is focused on securing the program’s second state championship, with their formidable defenseā€”which has allowed a touchdown or less in nine games this seasonā€”leading the charge. Senior quarterback Kayson Brooks is a dual-threat playmaker who guides the Kilgore offense.

The 4A Division I final will kick off first on Friday, Dec. 19, at 11:00 AM, with Kilgore taking on the undefeated Stephenville Yellow Jackets (15-0).

The East Texas Sweep

The simultaneous success of these two East Texas powerhouses has created a surge of pride across the region. Fans from both towns will make the trek to Arlington, turning “Jerry World” into an East Texas stronghold for the day. For Kilgore, it’s about finishing the job after last year’s title game loss. For Carthage, it’s about upholding the standard of excellence theyā€™ve established over the last decade and a half. Regardless of the outcome, December 19, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day East Texas football dominated the UIL State Championship stage.

You can watch highlights from the Carthage state semifinal victory over Brock here: Carthage Dominates Brock 49-21 in State Semifinals. This video is relevant as it provides visual highlights of the Carthage Bulldogs’ state semifinal victory that secured their spot in the Class 4A Division II State Championship.

ā€” Google Gemini

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