Two bonafide 4A state title contenders face off in a good, old fashioned East Texas showdown in Panola County.

Carthage has had Kilgore’s number of late, but last year’s game went down to the wire before Carthage pulled one out of the fire in Jett Surratt’s first start at QB.

Kilgore expects to have one of the state’s most ferocious defensive units with a veteran defensive line and a secondary led by one of the state’s top playmakers in Jayden Sanders. RB Rayshawn Williams leads the offense; look for a breakout year after he impressed as a freshman.

Carthage is back with a vengeance after the Dawgs' regional final overtime heartbreak loss to Gilmer. In addition to Surratt, the Bulldogs offense looks loaded with RB KJ Edwards and a veteran group of receivers. Carthage expects to be just as tough on defense led by LB’s Klayton Ingram and DeQuives Beck.

Kilgore’s offense early in the year will be a bit of work in progress and that is the difference in this one. Carthage is a complete team and has the look of a juggernaut. Kilgore's defense keeps it close.

Stepp’s Pick: Carthage by 9