Top 50 Carthage Bulldogs since 2000

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Back at it again to disturb your inner football peace. The most winningest program in East Texas, the Bulldogs have over a 100 guys who are worthy of making this list. Tale a look at unbiased opinion and see who we think the best 50 Bulldogs since 2000 are.

50. Joe Jones

Years: 2008
College: Tarleton State

A defensive back in college, Jones made first team All-East Texas and All-District after catching 55 passes for 904 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. Jones was the number 1 receiver for the Bulldogs in 2008.  

49. TreKevian McKee

Years: 2008-09
College: TJC

AT 6'3 240, McKee was a monster for the Bulldogs during their first state championship runs. As a senior, McKee had 128 tackles, 17 for loss, 5 sacks, 2 FF and 8 pressures. 

48. Cutter Clinton

Years: 2007-2009
College: SFA

At 6'2 290, Clinton was a dog up front for the Bulldogs. Clinton finished his career with 36 consecutive starts. As a senior he graded out at 93% and had 150 knockdown blocks. 

47. Okeeron Rutherford

Years: 2012-13
College: North Texas

Rutherford as a junior was an okay player. He had 43 catches for 599 yards and 8 touchdowns. His senior year his game made huge leaps. He finished with 64 catches for 1,048 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to a State Championship. For a career, Rutherford caught 107 passes for 1,657 yards and 24 touchdowns. 

46. Brandon King

Years: 2020-
College: N/A

King had a huge breakout 2020 Junior season with a school record 9 interceptions, 4 coming in the State Championship. On top of the big numbers, King can play as well, and his stock is going through the roof after last season. 

45. Kyle Deaton

Years: 2008
College: N/A

Kyle Deaton had a huge senior season. His 139 tackles, 10 for loss, 2 sacks, 5 pressures, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT and 2 PBUs is one of the best statistical seasons ever. 

44.  Ty'Keist Crawford

Years: 2018-19
College: Charlotte/Arkansas
Highlight: https://youtu.be/lmPkjlr9qQE

Crawford was NFL sized and blessed with A Grade athleticism to go with the 6'5 335 lbs. frame. His senior year Crawford graded out at 90% and had 25 knockdowns. 

43. DeWaylon Ingram

Years: 2016-17
College: Sam Houston State

As a Junior, Ingram went off to the tune of 63 catches for 1,025 yards and 10 touchdowns. The speedster back it up his senior year with 60 catches for 1,061 yards and 15 toucdhowns. For a career Ingram caught 123 passes for 2,086 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

42. Kip Lewis

Years: 2019-
College: Committed to Oklahoma

After starting as a sophomore and winning a state championship, Lewis exploded onto the scene in 2020 and emerged as one of the more touted prospects in the nation. At 6'2 215 and 4.7 speed, he's a dream linebacker prospect. He's a guy, with a strong senior year, that will catapult to the top half of this list easily by the end of 2021. This past season he finished with 140 tackles, 17 for loss, 4 sacks, 2 PBU, 1 FF, 2 FR and 1 INT. 

41. Jarod Carter-McLin

Years: 2013-15
College: UTSA

McLin started out as a sophomore on the 2013 State Championship Team making 75 tackles and 10 sacks. As a junior he played both tight end and defensive end. He racked up 80 tackles and 5 sacks. As a senior he balled out to the tune of 120 tackles, 20 for loss, 4 sacks, 8 pbus and 34 pressures. Offensively, McLin caught 28 passes for 377 yards and 6 touchdowns his senior year. 

40. Kylon Lister


Years: 2018-20
College: Angelo State

A 3 Year who started 45 career games, Lister was a disruptive playmaker from the defensive tackle position. As a junior Lister made 72 tackles, 12 for loss, 9 presures and 3 sacks. That was a warm up for the big senior year. 96 tackles, 10 for loss, 7 pressures and 1 int later, Lister stands amongst some of the best DT's to ever come through the C. 

39. Isaiah Golden

Years: 2010-12
College: Texas A&M/McNeese State

District MVP and 2nd Team All Stater, at 6’2 280 lbs. Golden was a mismatch in high school. He exploded on the scene with 78 tackles, 14 for loss, and 8 sacks. A&M came calling and he committed and balled his senior year. With 76 tackles, 32 for loss, 4 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries he was named first team All-East Texas. 

38. Mekhi Colbert


Years: 2015-17
CollegE: TJC

A big time playmaker on both sides of the football, Colbert played big at defensive back, receiver and Wildcat QB during his Bulldog tenure. As a junior, Colbert started at Cornerback and recorded 4 interceptions, taking 2 to the crib. He returned a punt for a touchdown and had 20 catches on offense that totaled 2 more touchdowns. Add his 1 rushing TD and you've got a player who scored 5 different times in 3 different ways. As a senior, Colbert slid over to safety where he made 43 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 FF and 1 FR, along with 7 interceptions, 1 for a TD. On offense Colbert turned out to be Swiss Army knife. He had 20 carries for 246 yards along with 889 yards and 6 touchdowns. 

37. Quanterrius Brown

Years: 2018-19
College: N/A
Highlights: https://youtu.be/9dnkj6MvWyE

At 6'3 210 Quan Brown was a sight on the 4A level. His great athleticism and energy led to beating a lot of slower tackles. He racked up 84 tackles his senior year and added the grand number of 12 sacks, which is the school record according to Smoaky.com.

36. Lovis Hall


Years: 2008-2010
College: Harding University

A 3 year letterman, At 6'1 265, Hall was dominate in the middle for the Dawgs from 2008-2010. He finished that season for the state champs with 114 tackles, 20 for loss, 4 sacks, 3 FF, 2 FR. He finished that season First Team All-East Texas as well as first team All-State and All-District. 

35. Rodney Chadwick


Years: 2005-07
College: Baylor
Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWgODHYcf5M&t=84s

Rodney Chadwick was a beast in the middle for the Bulldogs in the mid 2000s. After a rocking sophomore year in 2005, Chadwick was named district Sophomore of the Year. As a junior he was credited with over a 100 tackles and 5 sacks as he was named first team all-district. As a senior Rodney amassed 132 tackles, 3 FF and 1 INT to be named District Defensive MVP. 

34. Karlidarius Beechum

Years: 2003-04
College: N/A

Beechum was a beast in the backfield and made the most of his opportunities, sharing the backfield with Jamon Edwards in 2003. He rushed for 1,145 yards that junior year. As a senior and the guy, Beechum ran for 1,645 yards in a 10 game season for Bulldogs. 

33. Chad Kelly

Years: 08-10
College: TJC

Kelly was a 3 year starter for the Bulldogs and the team's best offensive lineman on a state championship winning team. Kelly went crazy his senior year with a 96% grade and no sacks allowed on 381 pass attempts. He finished 2010 First Team All State, and First Team All East Texas. 

32. Trevor Murphy

Years: 2007-09
College: N/A

Murphy started 44 consecutive games for the Bulldogs during his tenure. His sophomore stats aren’t available but his junior year Murphy caught 29 passes for 407 yards 9 touchdowns and finished with a 97% blocking grade. His senior year was even more impressive catching the ball 40 times for 563 yards for 10 touchdowns. He finished with a 91% blocking grade.


31. JaKeldric Jackson

Year: 2015
College: N/A
Highlights: https://youtu.be/6rwlStzeBQ0

In just one varsity season at Carthage, Jackson came up huge on a team that lost to La Vega in the semi-final. Jackson caught the ball 88 times for 1,526 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 88 catches stand 3rd in school history for receptions in a season, his 1,526 yards stand as 3rd in school history for yards in a season, and his 16 touchdowns rank 7th.  

30. Jarrod Blissett

Year: 2014-15
College: Panola College (Baseball)

Jarod Blissett took the reigns of the Carthage program and brought home gold his senior year. That senior year Blissett set the school record in passing yards in a season with 4,069 yards. His 41 touchdowns to 11 interceptions is a terrific ratio, and with that efficiency he earned his way on the list. 

29. Dee Bowens
Years: 2015-17
College: Sam Houston State
Highlights: https://youtu.be/sng3y_drGaY

One of many miniature receivers to make a huge impact for the Cartage Bulldogs over the course of the year. Dee Bowens, 5'7 150 lbs. was impossible to cover racking up 120 catches over his career with 2,301 yards and 34 touchdowns. The bulk of those yards and touchdowns came his senior year as Bowens caught 62 passes for 1,444 yards and 23 touchdowns. Those 1,444 yards stand 4th in school history for yards in a season, while those 23 touchdowns stand 2nd for most touchdowns in a season. 

28. Cortlyn Ware


Years: 2008-10
College: Kilgore

The Late Great Cortlyn Ware was a 3 year starter at defensive back and started on offense his senior year as well. As a siohinire Ware finished 2nd Team All-District and 1st Team All-Distirct as a junior. s a senior, Ware served as the team's 2nd best receiver to Jalen Claiborne as he snagged 50 passes for 1,034 yards and 11 touchdowns. On defense Ware had his best performance making 82 tackles, 5 for loss, 4 interceptions, 1 FF and 6 PBUS on the year. 

27. O'Bryan Washington

Years: 2008-09
College: TJC

Backing up Dwight Smith in 2008, Washington had the opportunity to soak in a bunch of knowledge his junior season. In 2009, Washington got the opportunity to show what he could do. With 227 carries, Washington ran for 1,823 yards and 13 touchdowns, being the bell cow for a state championship team that depended on his 201 rushing yards in the semifinal and 127 yards in the state final for a 13-12 win over Graham. 


26. Rayvon Ingram


Years: 2018-19
College: SAU
Highlights: 

In 2018, Ingram burst on the scene with a 117 tackles, 13 for loss, 5 sacks, 2 INTS, 2 PBU, 1 FF and 1 Def TD. All he did was back it up his senior year with 139 tackles, 17 for loss, 2 INTS, and 2 FR. Ingram played larger than his frame suggests, it'll be interesting to see his football career from here.  


25. Si'Darius Blackshire


Years: 2007-08
College: Southern Arkansas
Highlights:
Blackshire is the OG of Carthage QB's, the first to really get the program out of the mud. Blackshire started in 2007 and led the Bulldogs to a 9-3 record in Surratt's first year as a head coach. He threw for 2,604 yards that season to go along with 33 touchdowns. The next year Si won Surratt's first state championship in 2008 leading the Bulldogs to a 14-2 record after throwing for 2,740 yards and 37 touchdowns. 


24. Greg Brantley

Years: 2009-10
College: Oklahoma State

At 6'7 310 lbs. Brantley was a huge mammoth compared to other 3A linemen. In his senior year Greg Brantley graded out at 94% and gave up 0 sacks on 324 pass attempts. He was named First Team All-State and East Texas. 
23. Caleb Pope

Years: 2008
College: N/A

Big Brother was a beast and showed out his senior year with 151 tackles, 13 for loss, 1 FR and 3 PBU. That's a full stat line for a defensive that came up with key stops during a state championship run. 

22. Ahmad Brown



Years: 2017
College: Tarleton State

Ahmad Brown played for the Carthage Bulldogs for one season, but my goodness was it special. 161 tackles, 23 for loss, 3 sacks, 3 FF, and 1 FR. Brown was an old school mike backer. He could fill in the gaps from C to C and the ball just wasn't getting past him.


21. Tee Goree

Years: 2012-13
College: UNT
Highlights: https://youtu.be/h079cToKSuI

Carthage has had tons of players leave marks on their program, but Tee Goree left there statistically the best. As a sophomore he caught 5 passes for 23 yards, but his junior year was remarkable, catching 66 passes for 1,261 yards and 16 touchdowns. Goree's senior year he stepped his game up another notch, catching 89 passes for 1,744 yards and 28 touchdowns, all records when he left Carthage. For a career, Goree caught 160 passess for 3,078 yards and 44 touchdowns.

20. Tevin Pipkin

Years: 2011-13
College: TJC

At 5'10 165, Pipkins physical style of run was impressive. Pipkin ran for a Carthage record 5,465 yards during his career, including 2,113 his senior season. As a sophomore, Pipkin wasted no time showing he was ready for the varsity level. He rushed for 1,707 yards as a sophomore and 1,335 as a junior. He finished his career as a state champion in 2013, consistently producing game in and game out that glorious senior year.

19. Blake Bogenschutz


Years: 2011-13
College: UTSA
Highlights: 
https://youtu.be/0htiM4wOuq4

Scott Suratt's best statistical passer during his tenure is Blake Bogenschutz. At 6' 180 lbs. he won 35 games over his 3 year career as a starter. He threw for 126 touchdown passes 5th most in the state of Texas. He threw for 9,569 passing yards over his career, his best feat leading the Bulldogs to a 15-1 record his senior year to a State Championship. His sophomore year, Bogenschutz had to replace Anthony Morgan who just won state. He threw for 2,696 yards for 29 touchdowns. His junior year he improved from a 9 win performance to the state semifinals his junior year. That year he threw for 2,870 yards and 40 touchdowns. His senior year, he threw for 4,003 yards and 57 scores to 4 interceptions on 59% passing. Bogenshutz continued the state championship together, and brought a long Surratt's 4th ring.


18. Tee Kellum

Years: 2018-20
College: UMHB

Tee Kellum is a dog. A 3 year starter who has been up and down the offensive line throughout his career. Kellum has 2 First Team All-East Texas slates throughout his career. His first came as the Right Guard in 2019. He graded out 94% and had 48 knockdowns. As a senior, Kellum moved to left tackle and continued his dominance. He graded out at 95% with 48 knockdowns. Throughout his 46 career starts, he went 45-1.

17. Mason Courtney

Years: 2019-20
College: Tulane

Courtney played in a more pass heavy offense than any other back and yet produced in back to back years for back to back rings. He got his first varsity action as a sophomore, producing 934 yards on 135 carries for 12 touchdowns. As a junior Courtney rushed for 1,679 yards and with over 400 receiving yards. His senior year he continued the dominance rushing 1,556 yards and 30 touchdowns in 14 games in a COVID shortened season. He caught 22 passes for 403 yards and 3 touchdowns as well. He's 3rd All-Time in Rushing Touchdowns and Rushing Touchdowns in a season.   

16. Jamon Edwards

Years: 2002-03
College: N/A

Edwards helped to get the program out of the mud, and was one of the first of many great backs since the turn of the century. Edwards came out in 2002 as a junior and rushed for 1,105 yards in a 12 game season. As a senior, Edwards and the Bulldogs figured the run game out. Edwards rushed for 1,836 yards in 12 games which was 2nd all-time in 2003. Edwards rushed for 29 touchdowns that season. 

15. Ed Pope

Years: 2009-11
College: Texas A&M

Pope started at safety and receiver as a sophomore and continued this throughout his career. On offense he was a First Team All-State at receiver and 3rd team All-State on defense as a senior. Pope caught 76 passes for 1,233 yards and 17 touchdowns his senior season. Defensively, Pope recorded 58 tackles, 2 for loss, 7 PBU, 2 FF, 3 INT, and the District Defensive MVP.

14. Mykel Gates

Years: 2015-17
College: Blinn
Highlights: 

A 3 year starter for Scott Surratt, Gates is one of the best linebackers to come through Carthage. As a sophomore Gates made First Team All-District after a 114 tackle, 4 for loss, 1 sack, 2 pass break ups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception. As a junior and senior Gates made First Team All-East Texas and was the 2017 Defensive Player of the year. As a junior he had 160 tackles, 19 for loss, 2 pass breaks ups, 3 forced fumbles, 2 recoveries, and 1 interception. His senior year he made 165 tackles, 20 for loss, 3 sacks, 3 pass break ups, 3 forced fumbles, 3 recoveries, 1 for a touchdown and 1 interception. For a career that's 439 tackles, 43 for loss, 4 sacks, 7 pass break ups, 8 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, and 3 interceptions. 

13. Gunner Capps


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goAxx-y8KhA

Years: 2017-18

College: Sam Houston State

Capps is a dangerously accurate passer. 30-1 through 31 starts, Capps stood tall in the pocket and delivered strikes to receivers. A State Champion in 2017, Capps completed 221/343 passes for 3,856 yards for 49 touchdowns to 7 interceptions. As a senior, Capps threw for 1,812 yards, with 23 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. Including his time as a sophomore, Capps threw for the 2nd most yards in school history with 7,676 yards and 2nd in passing touchdowns with 96. 


12. Mario McCain

Years: 2010-13
College: Kilgore

The Ironman of Carthage football. With 59 career starts, Mario McCain has the most in Bulldog history. He started out on the offensive line as a freshman at right guard, and then migrated his senior year to left tackle. As a sophomore, McCain slid in as the starter on the defensive line for Carthage. In his sophomore year he played defensive end and recorded 60 tackles, 19 for loss, six sacks, and a team-leading six forced fumbles. As a senior McCain led the defensive chaege to a state title over Kilgore. He made 130 tackles, 25 for loss, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles as a defensive tackle.

11. DeShun Williams 



Years: 2008-09
College: Texas State

Huge part of back to back state champions, Williams terrorized offenses. A 2 Time All-State, 2 Time All-East Texas selection, 2 Time District MVP, Williams was completely dominant. His junior year Williams had 120 tackles, 18 for loss, 11sacks, 13 pressures, 4 forced fumbles and 5 pass breaks ups. As a senior those tackles dumped to 132, 30for loss, 6 sacks, 17 pressures, and 3 forced fumbles.

10. Anthony Morgan

Years: 2009-10
College: ETBU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vVsIjEvSnw

At 5'7 175 pounds, Morgan started as a safety and backed up Si'Darius Blackshire in 2008, winning his first state title. As a junior he got the reigns and continued the winning. In 2009, Morgan threw for 2,900 yards and 41 touchdowns to hoist the second straight state championship in a 13-12 win over Graham. As a senior, Morgan turned the heat up even more throwing for 3,860 yards (3rd most in school history) and 41 touchdowns. He finished his career in the 3A state game throwing for 392 yards, 6 touchdowns. For a career, Morgan threw for 7,270 yards, and 84 touchdowns (both 3rd in school history behind Capps and Bogenshutz.)


9. Kai Horton

Years: 2019-20
College: Tulane

You can't get better than 30-0. Horton has worn a lot of hats for the Bulldogs over the past two seasons. He's won games with his arm, sometimes he's been the perfect game manager. He's stood in the pocket and delivered strikes and he's also scrambled around and made fantastic plays with his legs. He's played with tremendous talent over the last two seasons, probably 2 of the more talented teams to walk through Carthage. As a junior he had a big year throwing for 3,741 yards on 61% passing with 49 touchdowns to just 6 picks. As a senior in 14 games, he threw for 2,924 yards with 34 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. For a career he threw for 6,758 yards in his time for 83 touchdowns. 

8. Kendall Thompson

Years: 2008-10
College: Texas

Thompson was a 3 year starter who turned into a Prep All-American and was voted all state first team twice and is a 3 time All East-Texas selection. As a sophomore Thompson was 2nd Team All East Texas after a 102 tackles, 10 for loss, 1 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 interceptions and 1 pass break up. As a junior, Thompson was named second team All-State after 144 tackles, 21 for loss, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 fumble recoveries with 6 pass break ups. As a senior he was named East Texas Defensive MVP and 3A Defensive Player of the Year after closing in on his second state title with Carthage. He recorded 126 tackles, 15 for loss, 5 pass break ups, 4 interceptions and scored 2 defensive touchdowns. He was also State Championship Defensive MVP after an 11 tackle and one forced fumble in the state game.

7. Kendrick Henderson

Years: 2007-09
College: Northwestern State

Henderson was a 44 game starter for Carthage, 3 time First Team All-District, 2 Time All-East Texas, and 2 Time First Team All-State, while gaining the honors of Offensive Newcomer of the Year his sophomore year, and District Offensive MVP in 2009, all while playing offensive line. He signed to play at Northwestern State, but after a redshirt year in 2010, there's no data on Henderson's career post-Carthage.


6. Jalen Claiborne

Years: 2008-10
College: TJC/Wyoming
Highlights: https://youtu.be/j5aBhQiDWuA

A very productive wide receiver for Carthage during his tenure, Claiborne was a 3 year letterman, winning District Newcomer of the year after a 23 catch 420 yards and 3 touchdown season as a sophomore. His junior and senior seasons saw that production multiply as he had 58 catches for 1,066 13 touchdowns and 104 catches for 1,571 yards and 18 touchdowns. For a career, Claiborne had 185 receptions 2,657 yards and 34 touchdowns. 

5. Kelvontay Dixon


Years: 2017-19
College: Texas
Highlights: https://youtu.be/gqgDSkHEdDU

The youngest member on this list has pedigree and stats. Younger brother to Keontay Ingram, Dixon brings great electricity to the receiver position. Dixon started out making plays as a sophomore before losing the year to an injury. In his first full action at receiver, Dixon exploded for 84 catches, 1,288 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a senior, Dixon returned to elite status with 74 catches, 1,240 yards and 20 touchdowns, while rushing for 232 yards and 3 scores as well. For a career, Dixon finished with 159 catches (3rd All-Time) 2,528 yards. (3rd All-Time)  

4. Hunter Holland

Years: 2009-10
College: Air Force

Holland served as Washington's back up in 2009, but splashed big plays in the playoffs going over a 100 yards on 9 touches in the semifinal. As the starter in 2010, Holland simply went dumb. He ran for the 2nd most yards in a season with 2,610 yards for 36 touchdowns. He added 37 catches for 422 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

3. Jason Teague

Years: 2003-05
College: LSU/TJC/TCU

At 6'2 185, LSU turned Teague into a corner, but at Carthage he was the centerfielder of the defense, tracking down 8 interceptions his senior year. His stat line reads 79 tackles, 8 interceptions, 3 for touchdowns, 9 pass break ups, four fumble recoveries, 5 blocked punts and 2 blocked field goals in 2005. That effort was good enough to be called First Team All-State. He went over a 1,000 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns while also catching 20 passes for nearly 500 yards and 4 touchdowns. Teague finished as the 65th prospect in Texas.

2. Dwight Smith

Years: 2008
College: TCU/SAU

The most physically gifted athlete on the list. It's been rumored that Dwight Smith ran a 4.24 hand timed 40 in high school. He ran a 4.39 electronically at a USC camp his junior year. He returned to Carthage and led Carthage to their first state championship in 2008. Smith's senior year he ran for 2,820 yards, rushing for 43 touchdowns in that senior season. He ran for 272 yards and 5 touchdowns in the state champion ship game, winning the first of Carthage's 7 championship.

1. Keaontay Ingram

Years: 2015-17
College: Texas/USC

One of three Carthage backs to rush for over 5,000 yards. In 2015 we barely got a glimpse of his potential. He rushed for 637 yards and 7 touchdowns on 74 carries. He caught 14 passes for 189 yards to add on another 2 touchdowns. In 2016, Ingram established himself as dominant. With 320 carries, he ran for 2,244 yards and 32 touchdowns. He caught another 47 passes for 492 yards for four touchdowns. His senior year he repeated that 2,000 yard effort on 90 less carries. He ran for 2,327 yards and 37 touchdowns. Add another 284 yards and 2 touchdowns in the air and Ingram is one of the most complete backs to come through East Texas. 


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