CORSICANA – Carter's ball-control offense is designed to wear down an opponent.

But it isn't designed to come from behind.

Longview quickly gained the upper hand with two touchdowns in the opening seven minutes and defeated Carter, 35-20, in a Class 4A Division I Region II semifinal Saturday before a near-capacity crowd at Tiger Stadium. Longview (11-2) will play Waco Midway at 8 p.m. next Saturday at Texas Stadium.

Carter (12-1) trailed, 14-0, before it ran an offensive play. Longview scored a touchdown on its opening possession and had to go only 23 yards for another score after Carter fumbled on its kickoff return.

Once in each half, Carter closed to within seven points. Carter trailed, 28-20, with 9:06 remaining after a 60-yard touchdown run by junior Trevion Miller. Longview countered each Carter touchdown.

Longview beat Carter at its own game, rushing for 231 yards. Only two of Carter's opponents had rushed for more than 100 yards.

Carter's intimidation tactics before the opening kickoff backfired. Defensive back Kedrick Wilcott led the team onto the field wielding a sledgehammer, and Carter players gathered in the middle of the field, gesturing to Longview players.

"They were trying to get in our heads," said Longview running back Tyler McCray, who rushed for 156 yards and three touchdowns. "We just wanted to play our game."