From The Press Box: Scott Surratt on Carthage’s Dynasty, East Texas Roots & Sustaining Success

Carthage athletic director and head football coach Scott Surratt joins From The Press Box for a wide-ranging conversation about East Texas football, championship leadership and the remarkable dynasty he has built with the Bulldogs. Entering his 20th season at Carthage, Surratt reflects on why a job he once viewed as a possible steppingstone became home for his family—and how the Bulldogs grew into one of the most successful programs in Texas high school football history. In this episode: East Texas Roots Growing up in Linden and playing football for Linden-Kildare Competing against the legendary Daingerfield teams of the 1980s How East Texas football shaped his toughness, discipline and competitive approach Why the modern game is dramatically different from the football of his playing days The ETBU Years Choosing college baseball over football Becoming a four-year contributor behind the plate at East Texas Baptist University Lessons learned from longtime ETBU baseball coach Jim Kneipp How catching, calling pitches and leading a pitching staff helped prepare him to coach quarterbacks and run an offense The Road to Carthage Beginning his career as a baseball coach and football assistant Developing quarterbacks and coordinating offenses at Linden-Kildare, Waxahachie and Texas High Working with standout quarterbacks Why Carthage was always one of the East Texas jobs he viewed as a potential destination Building a Dynasty Winning Carthage’s first state championship during his second season How the Bulldogs continue avoiding complacency after 11 championships Why each season begins with the mentality of a program that has accomplished nothing The challenge of staying on top once everyone begins giving Carthage its best shot This season’s theme: focusing on the next rep, the next play and the next game Surratt also previews a talented but less experienced Carthage roster, discusses the difficulty of finding non-district opponents and reflects on the unforgettable experience of coaching his son, Jet, at quarterback. This is an inside look at the preparation, consistency and leadership behind one of the greatest dynasties in Texas high school football. #FromThePressBox #ScottSurratt #CarthageBulldogs #TXHSFB #TexasHighSchoolFootball #EastTexasSports #CarthageFootball #FootballCoach #ChampionshipCulture #SportsPodcast #TheWriteTeamPodcast Thank you to our podcast sponsors! Stiles Electric Elysian Fields ISD Hallsville ISD Smackover-Norphlet ISD Karnack ISD Write Team Services