West Orange-Stark Meets a Dynasty Test Against Carthage on Texas’ Biggest Stage
Right now, all eyes are on AT&T Stadium in Arlington, where West Orange-Stark is stepping onto the field for one of the biggest games in Texas high school football. The Mustangs are facing Carthage in the Class 4A Division II state championship, and this matchup brings together momentum, history, and a program that knows this stage all too well.
Carthage entered this game as the defending champion and one of the most dominant programs in the state. This is their seventh state title appearance in just the past decade, and they’re aiming to finish a perfect 16-0 season. A win would give the Bulldogs their 11th state championship overall, all of which have been earned since 2008 under head coach Scott Surratt. That kind of consistency is rare, and it’s why Carthage is often viewed as the measuring stick in this division.
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West Orange-Stark, though, didn’t arrive in Arlington by accident. The Mustangs came in at 12-3 and are back in the state finals for the first time since 2017. Their journey hasn’t been smooth, either. After starting the season 2-3, including a tough loss to Waco La Vega, things were turned around. That same La Vega team was beaten later in the playoffs, 35-20, as West Orange-Stark reeled off 10 straight wins to punch its ticket to the championship.
A big reason for that run has been the Mustangs’ balanced roster. Quarterback Kwalin Dugas, who moved from defense to offense this season, has been asked to do a little bit of everything. He’s thrown for over 1,000 yards and added nearly 700 more on the ground. The offense, however, truly flows through running back Khelvy Jefferson, who piled up more than 2,300 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, hitting the 100-yard mark in nearly every game this season. Defensively, leaders like Anterrion Fontenot and Johnathan Johnson have set the tone with relentless tackling and forced turnovers.
Carthage, on the other side, wasted no time showing why it’s a powerhouse. Running back KJ Edwards broke loose for an 87-yard touchdown just seconds into the game, setting the tone early. Quarterback Jett Surratt continued his remarkable career, throwing his 50th touchdown of the season and closing in on 10,000 career passing yards. By halftime, the Bulldogs had built a commanding lead, backed by explosive plays and disciplined defense.
For West Orange-Stark, this game represents more than just a score. It’s a chance to challenge a dynasty and prove that their late-season surge belongs on the biggest stage in Texas high school football. Win or lose, the Mustangs’ run to Arlington has already stamped this season as one to remember.
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