Player of the Week: Carthage’s KJ Edwards

CARTHAGE, TX (KTAL/KMSS) — KJ Edwards has had quite the career in a Carthage uniform. He holds the all-time leading rushing and touchdown record at the school.

There’s one final goal he wants to accomplish, and that’s to end his time as a Bulldog with another state championship.

“It’s our second home, I mean, other than this stadium around here, so I mean, like I said, the standard is winning state and so just executing this week, then I mean, hopefully during game time, be ready,” Edwards said. 

Edwards has punished defenses on his way to state, including last week when he rushed for 183 yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries. He and this senior class look to end it on a high note. 

“We got a big senior heavy class this year. I mean, just seeing a lot of guys going to a lot of big D1 schools, I mean it’s just an honor just seeing those guys. I mean just come from like where we come from like in junior high. So, it’s just a overall good accomplishment for the overall leaders we got this year,” Edwards stated.

His love for the game as well as the coaching staff have allowed him to succeed. 

“I mean just the tradition. I mean guys just love the game of football, that’s really just it. Then you know, you just got overall good coaches just, putting the effort in, just seeing the kids getting better,” he said.

Better he has got, as Edwards is arguably the best running back in Carthage football history. 

“It’s been fun to watch KJ and how much better he’s gotten, you know, he is a great three down back or four-down back. We call it four-down back here because we don’t believe in punting too much, but he is really, his skills is going off the charts on not only running the ball, but, becoming a receiver, not only in the backfield, but we’ll split him out and throw it to him and then, he’s phenomenal in protection. He’s the total back, the total package, and a great young man,” head coach Scott Surratt said.

When his time as a Bulldog is over, Edwards will continue playing football at Texas A&M, where he’ll be this Saturday for the Aggies opening round playoff game against Miami. 

“I mean they execute, on both sides of the ball. Hopefully we can win by 10 or 14, but I mean it’s still college football at the end of the day. I mean Miami gonna come out playing their best too, so just overall just coming out and playing their very best,” Edwards said about the Aggies.

Edwards and the Bulldogs will face West Orange-Stark in the 4A Division 2 state championship this Friday at 3 pm.

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