No. 1 Carthage bests No. 2 Gilmer, 28-7

LONGVIEW, Texas — The expression “When things get tough, you turn to your friends,” proved true once again.

On a night Carthage’s topranked football team had its stiffest test of the season against No. 2 ranked Gilmer, senior quarterback Connor Cuff turned to senior wide receiver Noah Paddie.

“Our connection is pretty special, we trust each other a lot,” Cuff said. “It just helps.” They most definitely do. Cuff connected with Paddie for three touchdown passes as No. 1 ranked Carthage defeated No. 2 Gilmer, 28-7, in a Class 4A, Division II regional semifinal playoff game played before a soldout, standing-room-only crowd Friday night at Longview High’s Lobo Stadium.

Carthage (13-0) will face Pleasant Grove (11-2) in the Region II finals/state quarterfinals next week. That game will be played Friday at Marshall’s Maverick Stadium, although the time has not been finalized.

Pleasant Grove, the District 7-4A runner-up to Gilmer, knocked off Aubrey, 37-14, in Friday’s other regional semifinal. The Hawks are ranked in the top 5 in their division.

Carthage is the two-time defending 4A, Division II state champion, and the Bulldogs have won their last 43 games.

Cuff — who completed 17-of-29 pass attempts for 182 yards and three touchdowns — connected with Paddie on a 22-yard jet sweep pass and a pair of 8-yard touchdowns in the win against previously undefeated Gilmer (11-1).

Paddie finished with five catches for 74 yards, including the three scores.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, so I think that transfers out to the football field,” Paddie said. “Anytime the defense makes a play like that you have to capitalize off that.”

It was the Bulldogs’ defense that came up big, allowing the offense to put the game away later.