Charging into the playoffs: Southlake Carroll 54, Boswell 7

 

2024 file photo. The Dragons enter the 2026 post season ready to rumble as they host their first-round playoff game in Dragon Stadium. 

A memorable moment

Some may wonder why a crotchety old man like me is so devoted to high school football. I sometimes ponder the same mystery.

Then something happens like an incident last night during Southlake Carroll’s final regular-season game that reminds me: “Oh, yeah, that’s why!”

It happened like this.

To absolutely no one’s surprise, the Dragons, already anointed 4-6A champions, completely dismantled the injury-battered Boswell Pioneers, who were playing without their starting quarterback and two leading running backs. Injured players also had left gaping holes in both their defensive and offensive lineups.

With less than a minute left in the first half, Carroll, leading 34-0, had forced yet another Pioneer 3-and-out and then pushed the ball into the Boswell red zone.

Quarterback Hudson Tomcheck flipped a 14-yard pass to Thomas “Slicey” Joyner at the 6. He then zipped a short pass to star receiver Blake Gunter, who could have cruised effortlessly across the goal line for his second TD of the night.

Cradled like a baby

Instead, Gunter turned and flipped the ball to Carroll center Tristan Dare lumbering behind him. Dare, an O-line stalwart who labors brilliantly but largely unnoticed by most onlookers, then cradled the ball like a baby and nimbly slipped into the end zone.

The Dragon sideline erupted in applause and shouts of joy as one of the Big Guys basked gloriously in his oh-so-rare moment in the sun, a moment he’ll remember and cherish for a long, long time. I’m not ashamed to admit it: It put a tear in this old man’s eye, swear to God.

But enough sentimental dribble. After all, I have a reputation to protect. Let’s examine some details of the massacre.

In many ways, it was the Dragon defensive unit that took center stage last night. It slapped the Pioneers around at will, limiting Boswell to only 91 total yards and to a pitiful -2 in the air -- a stark contrast to the Dragons’ 430 total yards. Boswell could manage only four first downs during the contest, and Carroll defenders recovered two Pioneer fumbles.

True, the Dragons also coughed up the ball twice. But luckily, those mishaps occurred in the final period, after backups had taken over and the outcome had long since been ordained.

Bryant was the leading rusher for Carroll, rolling to 82 yards on 4 carries that included that thrilling 52-yard TD dash early on. Backup running back Dane Wilson, always a kick to watch when he’s unleashed late in games, carried 7 times for 74 yards, which included a 13-yard TD bolt that ended Carroll scoring for the evening.

Tomcheck (8-14, 171 yards) threw for three TDs, 18- and 17-yard tosses to Brody Knowles (3-40) and a 54-yard spiral to Gunter (3-76). He also ran twice for 66 yards, including a 50-yard sprint to punctuate the Dragons’ initial drive.

Thorough takedown

Carroll’s takedown was so thorough and complete that more than a few Dragonheads felt strangely cheered when the Pioneers, gamely fighting to the end, finally managed to put points on the board in the final period.

That face-saving score came after the second Dragon fumble – by backup QB Palmer Pensom as he led a charge into Pioneer territory. Runner Anthony Hummer (19-45) took a direct snap and plunged 12 yards to paydirt to the ragged cheers of disheartened Boswell fans.

The Dragons didn’t allow themselves to be distracted by Boswell’s picturesque Pioneer Stadium, an impressive facility from which you can see a distant but panoramic view of downtown Fort Worth to the south.

Instead, they smothered the first Pioneer drive, forcing a punt that Gunter returned to the 48. Two plays later, Tomcheck burst through the line and scampered 50 yards to initiate a runaway Dragon scoring spree.

The second Pioneer drive also ended in a 3-and-out, and Carroll brushed past the Boswell defense to surge to midfield. From there, Bryant sprang through the startled Boswell defense and sped full speed for the end zone, Pioneer hopes trailing in his wake.

The second quarter broke the Pioneers’ back. Tomcheck’s three aerial strikes to the deadly duo of Knowles and Gunter – along with Dare’s unlikely heroics – put the contest beyond the reach of more talented squads than the Pioneers could muster.

Against Boswell, Dragon backups, who played the entire second half, became more than mere space holders. Pensom scored Carroll’s seventh TD with a 2-yard dash, and the hard-charging Wilson finished up with his 13-yard run.

The real season

For the Dragons, the real season – the six rounds of the Class 6A playoffs – starts now. Carroll finishes its regular schedule just as it wished. Despite a rocky beginning against a trio of fearsome opponents, it plowed undefeated through its district and now enter the playoffs strong, tested and largely healthy.

If it can avoid some of the mistakes that have plagued it this season – too many penalties, for instance, and lapses in concentration – it stands a good chance of meeting a yearly team goal – to still be in the playoffs at Thanksgiving.

Next week, probably on Friday, the Dragons will host their first-round playoff opponent, which will depend on the outcome of District 3-6A contests played Friday evening.

Trying to figure out who that might be is an unfathomable process as impenetrable as advanced calculus to a guy who barely survived simple college math.

As best as I can tell, the Dragons likely first-round victim will be the Weatherford Kangaroos. But I’m probably wrong. Whoever it is, all I can say is: Come and get it!

Go, Dragons!

A sound beating: Southlake Carroll 43, Keller Timber Creek 19

 

2025 file photo. Dragons celebrate last year's 55-13 victory over the Timber Creek Falcons. Last night's matchup had a similar outcome.

Never in doubt

SOUTHLAKE – To be charitable about it – a bit too charitable, perhaps? – let me just say that the Keller Timber Creek Falcons didn’t go down without a fight.

They fought. But down, down, down, they did plummet. And the outcome of their District 4-6A contest last night against the Southlake Carroll Dragons was never in doubt.

Outmanned, outgunned and generally outfought, they quickly became another victim of the Dragon dreadnought as it sails toward yet another district championship.

Oh, yes, the Falcons had their moments. But alas, they were brief and carried no impact. Truth be told, most occurred after Carroll – the game well in hand – had allowed its second-string players some glory minutes under Friday night lights.

Last night was an opportunity for Dragon stars to shine, and shine brightly, they most certainly did.

Leading the way

Wide receiver Blake Gunter led the way, scoring on two beautiful passing plays, rushing for a third score – and taking direct snaps from center when short yardage absolutely had to be gotten.

He’s headed to Cal after graduation, and the Golden Bears are lucky to get him. Word is that the coaches there know it.

Junior quarterback Hudson Tomcheck, who is growing better and more confident with each passing game, led the Dragons in rushing, amassing 92 yards in only five tries and snagging a 6-yard touchdown to put the cherry on top.

He also completed 18 of 30 passes for 211 yards and two TDs (both by the worthy Gunter, as noted above).

Brooks Biggers had a solid night, rushing 11 times for 85 yards. Dez Bryant Jr. (5-27), who started the season as a member of the Dragon receiving corps, has received a boatload of attention for his success on the ground, and understandably so. But Biggers deserves kudos for the hard-charging determination he brings to the Dragon ground game.

Bryant, for his part, has come on like a house afire in the last two games. He endured a somewhat quiet night against the Falcons, but he still scored the Dragons’ first TD on a 10-yard scramble. Shaken up later after a brutal hit by a Falcon defender, he sat out the remainder of the evening.

The Falcons fought gamely for the entire night, but they were overwhelmed from the get-go. The Dragon D shut down their running game, limiting them to only 79 rushing yards.

More successful

Timber Creek’s leading rusher, quarterback Lane Brinkley, managed only 28 yards in 14 carries. He was more successful in the air, completing 14 of 25 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns.

But it should be noted that two of those scores came in the last quarter, with Carroll holding a 31-7 lead and benching many of its starting defenders.

The Dragons came on strong from the opening kickoff, with Bryant getting them on the board 2 minutes into the game. Chase Sarver then intercepted an errant Brinkley pass and returned the ball to the Dragon 45. On the very next play, Tomcheck threw a 55-yard bomb to Gunter in the end zone. 14-0 and counting.

Carroll added a 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter, then blocked a 31-yard 3-pointer attempt by the Falcons. Tomcheck put together a dandy 80-yard scoring march that he supercharged with a 41-yard scramble to the Falcon 39 after being flushed him from the pocket. Bryant followed with a 20-yard sprint, and Gunter finished things off with a 2-yard bolt that sent Carroll into halftime with a 24-0 lead.

Timber Creek finally got on the board midway through the third quarter when Brinkley lofted a 52-yard missile to Ebube Okwelume. Carroll responded with a 35-yard TD pass from Tomcheck to Gunter, restoring the Dragons’ 24-point lead and setting up the final 12 minutes of play.

The fourth quarter’s sole distinction could be the curious fact that although each team rolled to a pair of touchdowns, neither could successfully convert points after the score.

Carroll stifled two 2-point conversions by the Falcons (after a 55-yard TD reception by Okwelume and a 17-yard catch by Asher Edwards). The Dragons, on the other hand, muffed two PATs (after a 6-yard run by Tomcheck and a 24-yard scoring pass from Palmer Pensom to Gavin Jackson).

Plaguing penalties

Penalties continue to plague the Southlake squad, although it’s only fair to point out that things are getting better. The Dragons were penalized six times last night for 47 yards on a variety of offenses. By comparsion, the Falcons racked up three for 17.

Such a disparity made no difference last night – or in previous contests. But come the playoffs (roll ominous sound effects), such sloppy, undisciplined activity could be deadly. (OK, I’ll be quiet now.)

The Dragons, 6-2 for the season and undefeated in 4-6A, travel to Boswell next Thursday for the last regular-season game. Dragonheads anticipate another cakewalk.

Then comes the beginning of the real season for Carroll – the playoffs. Dominating District 4-6A is no big feat. While the first team goal for the Dragons is to bring home the district trophy, it’s only the first step in achieving the Valhalla of high school football – a state championship.

Can this team bring home a ninth state trophy?

Odds-makers and the “wise men” of Texas football would say probably not. And I’d have to agree. But who knows? As the old saw goes, “That’s why we play the game.”

The Dragons will be competing in the “small-school” Division II of Class 6A. And because they’ll enter the post-season as district champs, Round One will be played at Dragon Stadium. Opponent? TBD.

That’s where you’ll find me, sitting in my comfortable green seat, munching a Feedstore pulled-pork sandwich and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. Life is good.

Go, Dragons!

The sleeper awakens: Southlake Carroll 38, Byron Nelson 10

 

Dez Bryant Jr., shown in action against Keller last week, energized a drowsy Dragon team in its District 4-6A matchup last night against Bryon Nelson.

No Homecoming surprise

JUSTIN – For a few moments there – oh, heck, who are we fooling here? – for most of the first half, it looked like the Byron Nelson Bobcats might really have something to celebrate at their Homecoming matchup last night against the Southlake Carroll Dragons.

At halftime, the Dragons were hanging on to a 9-3 lead over the Cats, after being left scoreless in the first quarter. Despite the deficit, an opportunistic Nelson squad was leading in total yardage (at night’s end, it would outpace Carroll 222-172). And its feisty defense had stymied a sleepy, sluggish and skidding Dragon offense lacking timing, precision and efficiency.

But thanks to a series of Nelson miscues and to the heroics of Dez Bryant Jr., who scored three touchdowns last night – two of them the result of a pair of brilliant and heart-pounding punt returns – the resurgent Dragons declawed the Bobcats and decreed there would be no Homecoming miracle at Northwest ISD Stadium.

Before all that, however, worried Dragonheads had to endure a somnolent first-half performance by their Dragons. They comforted themselves with the fact that the Bobcats (3-5, 2-3 in District 4-6A) were unable to capitalize on Carroll's naptime. Except, of course, for Jake Sartin’s 45-yard field goal midway through the 2^nd quarter.

Then, thankfully, as the unsettling half drifted to a close, signs of life appeared in the Southlake visitors.

Over his head

It began when the Dragon D stopped a Nelson drive at the 28, and the snap to the Cat punter sailed over his head and out of the endzone, rewarding the the Dragons with a 2-point safety.

Bryant returned the following kick to the 47. Carroll QB Hudson Tomcheck then launched 10- and 16-yard passes to star receiver Brody Knowles, which brought the Dragons to the 21. Tomcheck sprinted to the 12, Bryant darted to the 9, then surged across the line to give Carroll that tenuous halftime lead.

Bryon Nelson came out of halftime with gusto and initially sent the Dragons reeling.

It held Carroll to a 3-and-out, then moved swiftly downfield, capping a 4-play, 60-yard drive with a 10-yard pass from Cat QB Ben Odem (6-13, 86 yards) to Collin Janese (3-66).

The promising Carroll drive that followed was cut short when Tomcheck (6-13, 56 yards) was intercepted in the Nelson endzone. Stunned Dragonheads began to contemplate the unthinkable.

Could an ambitious Bobcat squad with limited talent slip past a Carroll group having a very bad evening?

 As it turns out, no. And the Cats have only themselves to blame.

Three plays after the Tomcheck interception, Nelson’s Odem fumbled the ball. Dragon defender Bennet Hart seized it and scampered 33 yards to the house. A 2-point conversion succeeded, and the Dragon surged ahead 17-10. They never looked back.

Astounding return

In response, the Bobcats struggled to midfield on the next drive, but Odem was sacked, forcing a Nelson punt. That’s when Bryant staged the first of his pair of astounding punt returns, weaving and juking 74 yards to extend the Dragon lead to 24-10.

The Nelson collapse intensified on the next drive as the Dragon defense turned up the heat on the fading Bobcats. Dragon Drew Oakley ripped the ball out of Odem’s hands, and Cole Spaeth snatched it up and scurried 30 yards to the endzone. As the third period ebbed away, the Dragons now led 31-10.

Nelson only could manage a wimpy 3-and-out on the next drive. In stepped Bryant to seize the Cat punt and dart up the right sideline 59 yards to punctuate the best performance of his young career.

As everyone knows, Bryant is the son of former Dallas Cowboys great Dez Bryant. It appears that in football, as it in a lot of things, I suppose, blood will tell.

Turnovers, of course, proved to be the key to Dragon success. The Cats turned the ball over four times – two interceptions and two fumbles. Try that against a Dragon defense, and you’re toast. The Cats were burned to a crisp.

Dragonheads hope last night’s near-miss, if you can call it that, will be a lesson learned by this Dragon team. Even less-gifted squads, properly motivated and coached, can be giant-killers.

How do you prevent such calamities? By following the hallmarks of the Southlake program: discipline, determination, dedication. You can be sure that’s the message head coach Lee Munn’s staff will deliver in no uncertain terms this week to these young Dragons.

Senior night for the Dragons is next Friday, when they host Keller Timber Creek at Dragon Stadium. The Falcons fell hard this week to Haslet Eaton, 48-24.

It’s the night before Halloween so let’s hope the affair won’t be too frightening!

Go, Dragons!

Satisfying punch: Southlake Carroll 40, Keller 28

 

Parker Olson intercepts a pass from Keller quarterback Matt McCroskey in last night's matchup.

They didn’t go quietly

SOUTHLAKE – It wasn’t easy. And it wasn’t particularly pretty. But as the philosopher wisely observed: “A win is a win.”

And for the Southlake Carroll Dragons, it’s a win that packs a particularly satisfying punch.

Their close-fought victory over the determined and dangerous Keller Indians last night means Carroll most probably has earned another District 4-6A championship trophy. It remains the only undefeated squad left in the 4-6A lineup.

But the Indians, bless ’em, didn’t go down quietly. Not only did they bring a boisterous and noisy student section with them to Dragon Stadium. They also played head-to-head and toe-to-toe against the Dragons, scoring handily against the Carroll D and waging an aerial attack that the Dragon secondary found hard to dismantle.

For their part, the Dragons struggled, as they have all season, with penalties that disrupted timing, momentum and scoring. Consider this: Carroll was penalized a whopping 13 times for 125 yards, while Keller drew only six for 35.

Against a better team – and those teams are coming, if not in district play, then in the quickly approaching playoffs – it would have proved deadly. Head coach Lee Munn acknowledged after the game the problem had to be addressed – and corrected.

Fiercely focused

Keller arrived in Dragon country last night fiercely focused and full of fight. The Indians, who at 6-0 were enjoying their best season since 1967, hoped mightily to slay the Dragons, a feat they hadn’t accomplished since 1999.

And they almost carried it off. Don’t be misled by the 40-28 final score. The game was a lot closer than the numbers indicate, and the Indians remained within striking distance until the waning moments of the contest.

The lead changed seven times in the see-saw contest. A minute into the final period, Keller edged ahead a razor-thin 28-27. Indian quarterback Matt McCroskey, aided by a dramatic 53-yard pass reception by WR Graham Kaler, had moved his team to the Dragon 3, where RB Blake Dyniewski bolted across the goal line.

The Dragon offense, no doubt feeling the brush of angel wings, countered immediately.

Hard running by Dragon RB Brooks Biggers (17-107) – aided by a 4^th-down, 17-yard pass reception by star receiver Brody Knowles (9-143) – carried Carroll to Keller’s 9-yard line. From there, Biggers plowed into the endzone to give the Dragons a 5-point lead, 33-28, with 4 ½ minutes left on the clock. (A 2-point conversion attempt failed.)

It seemed inevitable that McCroskey (24 of 37 for 359 yards and 3 TDs) and the Indians would respond. They had done exactly that all evening in tit-for-tat scoring exchanges with the Dragons.

But the Carroll D, as it seems always to do, stood tall when it counted, smothering the Keller drive at its own 16. In the end, it held the Indians, who were averaging 51 yards per game before last night, to their lowest point total of the year.

Muffed punt

Forced to punt, the Indian kicker muffed it, sending the ball a meager 12 yards, and the Dragons began work at the Keller 28.

Stellar receiver Blake Gunter, demonstrating his rushing skills, delivered the knock-out punch against the Indians.

Stellar receiver Blake Gunter then stepped into the spotlight. He already had caught seven passes for 80 yards, and he had lined up in the wildcat to receive direct snaps at critical moments earlier in the game.

A smart, sure-handed receiver, Gunter runs with power and passion. He’s hard to bring down and can be counted on to extend plays after receptions.

On the crucial Carroll drive that followed the abbreviated Keller punt, Gunter (5-29 rushing) gobbled up yards in the wildcat, finally sprinting 7 yards across the line with 1:48 left to hand Carroll a well-earned 40-28 victory.

Gunter’s versatility isn’t lost on his teammates.

In a post-game interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, quarterback Hudson Tomcheck (21-31, 305) heaped praise on the California commit.

“I see Blake as a Swiss Army knife,” Tomcheck told the Star-T’s Charles Baggarly. “He can play quarterback and running back. We can put him at receiver. He can do it all.”

Tomcheck didn’t do so badly last night, either. He completed 21 of 31 passes for 305 yards, ran 12 times for 53 yards and scored once in the air and twice on the ground.

Dragon-killer

Brushed by a brisk, westerly autumn breeze, Keller wasted no time in revealing its Dragon-killer ambitions. It scored on its first drive, a six-play, 75-yard effort that ended with McCroskey hitting Ethan George in the end zone.

Carroll’s following drive died at the hands of a 15-yard penalty. Disaster loomed when the ensuing punt was blocked and the Indians took it to the house.

The Dragons caught a break when a penalty canceled the score, and they got another 4^th-down chance. Gunter took the direct snap and got the first down. On the next play, Tomcheck lofted a 46-yard bomb to Thomas Joyner III to tie things up.

The Dragons edged to a narrow lead with a 28-yard field goal by Kyle Vidal, but a blizzard of yellow flags prevented them from putting away the Indians.

Keller seized the lead half-way into the 2^nd period when McCroskey connected again with George. Carroll regained it with a 1-yard plunge by Tomcheck and finished the first half with another Vidal field goal, this time a 40-yarder that split the uprights literally at the buzzer.

The Dragons carried a 20-14 lead into the locker room, and Dragonheads prepared for a challenging second half.

Midway through the third quarter, Keller gained the lead yet again with a 32-yard TD pass from McCroskey to Graham Kaler. But Carroll’s stiffening defense prevented Keller from converting on 4^th down.

Carroll took over near midfield, and Tomcheck moved the Dragons to the Keller 10, where he fought his way across the line to send Carroll ahead 27-21 as the game entered the decisive final quarter.

Spirited battle

In an interview with the Star-T’s Baggarly, Munn said the Dragons expected a spirited battle against Keller.

“We know what to expect when we play this game,” he said. “Keller is always going to take their game to the next level when it’s against us. They’re always going to play with a little bit more enthusiasm.”

Enthusiasm? Keller played last night with blood in its eye and a thirst for mayhem in its heart. At least, that’s what I saw from my green seat.

Munn, who also calls defensive plays for the Dragons, showed character in post-game interviews.

He took the blame for Carroll’s struggles in containing McCroskey, admitting his man coverage scheme just didn’t work. How often do you see that kind of candor from a head coach?

The stats speak for themselves, however. Keller receivers had a field day. Cash Erdman caught 5 passes for 111 yards, Kaler grabbed 3 for 102, Dyniewski got 10 for 82 and George made the most of his two grabs, turning both into TDs.

Dez Bryant Jr., who rushed 7 times for 43 yards against Keller, heads downfield.

Munn also acknowledged the penalty-prone Dragons have much to improve.

“We protected the ball, and that was good,” Munn said to the Star-Telegram. “But there are so many things we have to get better at. Fortunately, we won the football game. But we’re not doing our team justice if we don’t look into the mirror and fix a lot of stuff.”

Mighty pleased

But overall, he told Baggarly, he’s mighty pleased with his youngsters.

“Those young kids that we had those first three weeks have grown up and matured,” Munn said. “They’re starting to figure out some things, in terms of our preparation. And also personnel, figuring out who we are and what’s our identity. We finally settled in on that and have kids in the right places. Now, it’s about, ‘How much better can we get each week?’”

The answer to that comes next Friday, when the Dragons continue their march to a district title with a slog down traffic-choked Texas 114 to Northwest ISD Stadium in Justin.

They shouldn’t have much trouble with the Byron Nelson Bobcats this year. But since this is high school football, it’s wise to take a we’ll-see attitude.

Go, Dragons!

Dez Bryant Jr. fights for yardage in the hard-hitting contest against the Indians.

Homecoming feast: Southlake Carroll 44, Justin Northwest 7

 

The mums were spectacular at last night's Homecoming game. So were the Dragons!

Gobbling them up

SOUTHLAKE – Homecoming cupcakes were on the menu at Dragon Stadium last night, and the Southlake Carroll Dragons quickly gobbled them up, leaving only a few crumbs for the cleanup crew to worry about.

And if that’s an unkind, mean-spirited and unsportsmanlike way to refer to the embarrassing destruction of the hapless Northwest Texans at the hands of the Dragons, then so be it.

Sometimes, it’s best not to sugarcoat things.

The plain truth is that the overmatched Texans, still winless for good reason, didn’t put up much of a struggle. And the Dragons – perhaps inspired by the most spectacular crop of Homecoming mums I’ve ever seen (and this is Southlake so I’ve seen some humdingers) – thoroughly trashed them, completely and definitively.

Carroll piled up 593 total yards, limiting Northwest to a meager 141. Heck, the Texans could manage only 4 yards rushing all evening and only avoided a shutout after Carroll’s backups muffed a punt in the final quarter and handed them great field position.

Until that scoring drive, Northwest had been forced to punt on every one of its first six possessions, turning the ball over the Dragons, who promptly capitalized on each opportunity and carried a 41-0 lead into halftime.

Pretty impressive

The Dragons had the run of the place. Quarterback Hudson Tomcheck completed 81% of his passes: 17 of 21 for 239 yards and five – count ’em, five – touchdowns. He would have had more, but head coach Lee Munn took pity on Texans and sidelined Tomcheck and most of his starters for the second half.

Three of those TDs went to the night’s leading receiver, Brody Knowles (6 catches for 92 yards), who scored on Tomcheck passing plays of 29, 39 and 3 yards.

Blake Gunter, the Dragons other stellar receiver, caught three Tomcheck passes for 74 yards, scoring on a 63-yard toss in the opening quarter. He also ran 3 yards at the end of the first half to score the Dragons’ final TD.

Dez Bryant Jr. shined brightly, too. He led the Dragons in rushing, cruising to 111 yards on eight carries. He also latched onto one of Tomcheck’s TD tosses, a 12-yard throw that put Carroll up 27-0 at the beginning of the second period.

When Carroll’s starters departed after securing that six-TD lead, the mismatch – never much of a barnburner – slowed to a desultory crawl.

Backup quarterback Palmer Pensom took the reins from Tomcheck and succeeded in getting the Dragons within field goal range at the beginning of the third period. Kicker Gabe Opel booted a 29-yarder to end scoring for the Dragons.

Lifeless trudge

At that point, the game dissolved into a lifeless trudge to the final buzzer, enlivened only by an ever-so-brief offensive spark by Northwest that ended with a 34-yard scoring strike from Texan quarterback Mark Hartman to Elijah Hawkins in the final quarter.

After sending the Texans packing, the Dragons now face their greatest challenge in achieving one of their season goals: To repeat as District 4-6A champions.

Standing in their way are the surging Keller Indians, who arrive in Dragon Stadium on Friday to challenge Carroll’s district dominance.

The 6-0 Indians are enjoying their best season in almost 60 years. The last time they remained undefeated at this point in the season was 1967 so you can only imagine the excitement now sweeping the Keller community.

Like the Dragons, the Indians are undefeated in 4-6A, thanks to a thrilling, come-from-behind 49-42 victory earlier this week over Trophy Club Byron Nelson.

The question for Dragonheads is whether Keller storms into Southlake riding high and mighty on the adrenaline rush of a breathtaking win. Or will the Indians show up mentally and physically depleted by this week’s gridiron dramatics?

We’ll find out soon enough, but it promises to be a donnybrook, doncha think?

Go, Dragons!

File photo. The Dragons face Keller Indians next week for a game that could determine the district championship.

Sloppy but decisive: Southlake Carroll 49, Haslet Eaton 6

File photo: The Dragons easily dispatched a mismatched opponent last night, but...

Slaughter of the innocents

SOUTHLAKE – The Southlake Carroll Dragons, now embarked on the pursuit of yet another District 4-6A championship, thoroughly dismantled the Haslet Eaton Eagles last night. But they didn’t look particularly crisp or disciplined doing it.

The final score is evidence of the thoroughness of the butt-whupping they inflicted on the overwhelmed and under-gunned Eagles. Call me heartless and brutal if you will, but the bitter truth is that it could have been – in fact, it should have been – an even greater slaughter of the innocents.

For heaven’s sake, three Dragon touchdowns were called back for holding calls, each one a dramatic, heart-racing play by the team’s top players.

Moreover, at least a half-dozen flags flew for false starts – one of the most basic rules of the game. Traditionally, well-coached and well-disciplined Carroll teams don’t make many of them. This team does.

Here’s a revealing statistic: The Dragons were penalized 11 times for 100 yards. By contrast, the struggling Eagles drew three flags for 30 yards.

Complete domination

I know, I know. It seems churlish to complain about penalties when the Dragons completely dominated the game, outpacing the Eagles in total yards, 555 to 238, and limiting Eaton to a single sustained drive and TD.

Dragon quarterback Hudson Tomcheck had a fine night, completing 67% of his passes – three for TDs – and rushing for another score. Dez Bryant Jr., who is supposed to be a receiver, rushed six times for 126 yards and two touchdowns.

Star receiver Brody Knowles caught four passes for 126 yards, two of them for touchdowns. Carroll’s other receiving stalwart, Blake Gunter, caught six for 80 yards and one TD. Even backup receiver Beckett Mackey got into the act, snagging a couple of passes from backup QB Palmer Pensom for 50 yards and scoring the Dragons’ final TD.

There’s no shortage of evidence that the Dragons were doing plenty right last night.

So why complain about a few calls from flag-happy zebras? After all, a win is a win, etc.

Put that way, I do feel a little like an old crouch ordering the neighborhood kids off my lawn. (Not that they would find it very appealing after the ravages of this summer’s sustained blast-furnace.)

A higher standard

I’ll only say this: Carroll teams enjoy the success they do by holding themselves to a higher standard, by requiring greater discipline and a higher football IQ from their players, and by striving for more demanding season goals than other teams.

This year, as always, Carroll seeks to gobble up another District 4-6A trophy and then take a deep dive into the post-season. To do that, I strongly believe it’s going to have to get its act together. 

Sloppy performances may get it through its not-so-tough district. But in the high-pressure, win-or-go-home atmosphere of the playoffs, lack of discipline, concentration and execution will get a team ejected damned quick. End of sermon.

As for last night’s mismatch, nobody expected much from Eaton, who fell to the Dragons 66-7 last year. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, the definitive authority on the subject, rated it a six-TD underdog.

As expected, the Dragons seized a quick lead and slowly – too slowly? – squeezed the life out of the Eagles.

Carroll halted Eaton’s first drive, then took only three plays to score when Tomcheck lofted a 74-yard pass to Knowles, who stiff-armed an Eagle defender at the 30 as he sped to the end zone.

Eagles in pursuit

Eaton also stalled on its second possession and attempted a 40-yard field goal that the Dragons subsequently blocked. On the first play of the Dragon drive, Bryant broke free and sprinted down the right sideline with a flock of shocked Eagles in pursuit. At the 50, he kicked it into high gear and scored easily.

In the second quarter, Eagle quarterback Kalika Nisa put together a 72-yard scoring drive powered by Elijah Irvin, Eaton’s leading rusher (13-47) and receiver (7-64). Nisa (18-32, 133 yards) finished the drive by scoring the Eagles’ only TD with an 11-yard dash across the line. The PAT failed.

Carroll immediately responded. Less than 2 minutes later, Gunter sprang through the middle and broke into the clear. Nearing the goal line, he met a cluster of other Dragons who watched as Tomcheck’s spiraling pass descended toward them. In the resulting melee, Gunter ended up with the ball and staggered into the end zone, extending the Dragon lead to 21-6.

As the half ebbed to a close, the Dragons stifled the Eagles yet again, forcing a punt. Eaton’s punter, who had a busy but productive night, left the Dragons at their own 7.

Thanks to determined runs by Bryant and Tomcheck, Carroll surged to the Eagle 19, where Tomcheck zipped the ball to Knowles to send the Dragons into halftime with a 28-6 lead.

Carroll came out swinging in the third period. After Bryant returned the Eagle kickoff to midfield, Tomcheck led the Dragons to the 3, then slipped across the goal line to widen Carroll’s margin.

A scamper negated

Bryant followed that with a 30-yard TD sprint around the right end. It seemed a fitting evening climax for Bryant, who only two plays earlier had sped 37 yards to the end zone, only to have the thrilling scamper negated by a holding call.

As I mentioned earlier, it was one of three Dragon TDs cancelled by penalties. Also getting axed were a spectacular 70-yard TD catch by Gunter in first period and a heart-pumping 61-yard scoring run by Pensom late in the fourth.

Backups for both teams were called in for the final quarter. Pensom (3-4, 62) plucked the final Eagle tail feathers with a 36-yard TD pass to Beckett Mackey.

Carroll has a bye next week, then hosts Justin Northwest for Homecoming on Oct. 9. It will face the 5-0 Keller Indians, who like the Dragons are 2-0 in district play, at home on Oct. 16. Some say – ahem – it could be the game that decides the District 4-6A championship.

Dragonheads assembled for the massacre enjoyed some cool temps in Dragon Stadium last night. Dare we hope that Autumn has finally dragged its sorry, tardy self into town? Fingers crossed.

Go, Dragons!

 

File photo: Carroll has a bye next week, but hosts Justin Northwest for Homecoming on Oct. 9.

Back on track: Southlake Carroll 35, Keller Central 17

 

Dez Bryant Jr. brushes past a Keller Central Charger on his way to one of his two TDs last night.

Determined and feisty

KELLER – The Southlake Carroll Dragons, despite some twists and turns, got back on track last night, dispatching a determined and feisty Keller Central squad with more ambitions than talent.

The Chargers had their moments, lord knows, led by two twin brothers who play both ways and aren’t too shabby at either.

They managed to keep things interesting, thanks to some sloppy, undisciplined action by the Dragons. But Central simply couldn’t contain a Carroll squad tired of being knocked around by some of the top teams in the state and focused on entering District 4-6A play with a bang.

Dez Bryant Jr., son of the former Dallas Cowboys great, and quarterback Hudson Tomcheck, who accounted for three scores, were the offensive stars in overwhelming the upstart Chargers.

Last night was a welcome return to victory lane for the Dragons, who have endured a rugged three-week start to the 2026 season, barely squeaking by a premier Oklahoma team in the season opener at the Cotton Bowl, then falling miserably to Texas powerhouses North Crowley and Allen.

Early lead

Carroll leaped to a 14-point lead and never relinquished it. Bryant struck first, rolling 14 yards to paydirt, then adding a 15-yard strike with 13 seconds left in the first period.

Bryant, who normally lines up as a receiver, rumbled 77 yards on 14 carries. Carroll head coach Lee Munn told The Dallas Morning News’ Greg Riddle that the Dragons have big plans for the youngster.

“Moving forward he is going to be doing everything for us,” Munn said. “He’s going to play running back, he’s going to play in the slot, he’s going to play outside, he’s going to return kicks, return punts. He’s going to be an X factor for us.”

The Chargers could do no better than a 35-yard field goal in the first half, despite aggressive pressure by quarterback Isaiah Taylor, who also plays cornerback, and his twin, Jeremiah, a receiver who also lines up as a corner on defense.

Quarterback Hudson Tomcheck breaks clear and heads for one of his two rushing TDs against the Chargers.

Isaiah completed 12 of 24 passes and 1 TD last night. His brother was the Chargers’ leading receiver, snagging five passes for 69 yards.

But the Dragon defense, knocked around some by a surging Charger offense, stood tall when it counted.

Both teams kept the officiating crew scurrying. Carroll, normally a tightly disciplined team, racked up 11 penalties for a whopping 103 yards, including at least four 15-yard walkoffs for a variety of offenses. Central was little better, amassing 9 penalties for 95 yards.

Dramatic ending

Tomcheck, as the half dwindled, put together an 8-play, 48-yard drive that ended dramatically when he juked, jived and jolted 13 yards for the third Dragon TD. When the buzzer rang, Carroll held a comfortable and, as it turned out, unassailable 21-3 lead.

Tomcheck completed 15 of 21 (70%) for 110 yards and a 1TD. He was the second leading rusher behind Bryant, rolling to 66 yards on 6 carries and two TDs.

The Chargers’ best chance of the upset for which they yearned came early in the 3^rd quarter. Dragon defender Ty Moody intercepted an errant Taylor pass, but the Carroll drive immediately stalled at its 45.

The Carroll punter bobbled the snap, and Charger corner Jeremiah Taylor knocked it loose. Farrod Meling snatched it up and roared 35 yards to the end zone, melting the Dragon lead to 11.

But the Dragons responded briskly. Tomcheck led them on a 69-yard drive energized by a 34-yard pass reception by leading receiver Brody Knowles (6-101). Knowles then ended the drive with a 12-yard TD catch from Tomcheck.

Central refused to collapse, however. It narrowed the Dragon led to 11 yet again early in the 4^th, staging a sustained 66-yard drive that ended when Jerry Dillard surged 1 yard across the line.

A key moment occurred when a 39-yard field goal by Carroll was blocked and the Chargers recovered the ball at their 1. They moved the ball to the 26, but could go no further, and Carroll took over on downs.

The right decisions

As the Dragon band struck up “Hey, Baby,” the traditional signal that a Dragon win is imminent, Tomcheck tossed an 11-yarder to Thomas Joyner III, then slipped around the right sideline to dart 12 yards for the final Carroll score.

Receiver Brody Knowles, 1, enjoys a moment with teammate Brooks Biggers, 24, after his TD catch.

“I’m really proud of Hudson,” Munn told the DMN’s Riddle. “The decisions he’s making and protecting the football. That’s only his fourth varsity start as a quarterback, so he’s making the right decisions. You can see what his legs can do.”

As Tomcheck would be the first to point out, he had help. In addition to the worthy Knowles, receivers Blake Gunter (3-34) and Joyner (4-31) and rusher Brooks Biggers (8-35) proved too potent for the Chargers.

Bryant, interviewed by Charles Baggarly of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, spoke for his fellow Dragons.

“We are a great team,” Bryant said. “We had two tough games these previous weeks, and I feel like this was definitely a bounce-back for us. This showed that we are on the map, and we are a solid team. So this win definitely means a lot.”

Some Dragonheads – me, for instance – had blithely dismissed the Chargers, who went into last night’s game 3-0 for the first time since 2019.

Shame on us for allowing our judgment to be clouded by memories of the bedraggled Central team of old, the one that won only a handful of games in the three seasons before last year.

In 2025, however, the Chargers went 5-5. And this summer, they whipped Allen to win the state 7-on-7 championship. That’s no guarantee of regular-season success, of course, but it does signal that significant change is afoot.

It’s early, of course, but the smart money is on the Chargers to make the playoffs this year, a remarkable turnaround for the program.

Munn heaped praise on the Central transformation and tipped his hat to Charger head coach Eric Vance.

“That’s a really good football team,” he told the Star-T’s Baggarly. “And they’re going to make playoffs in our district. Vance and his coaching staff, they’ve got the kids bought in. They play hard. They play respectful. And we’ve got all the respect in the world for them.”

Work in progress

Vance told Baggarly that the Chargers are a work in progress.

“We still haven’t put a game together yet,” he said. “It’s going to be scary when we do.”

Vance said Central’s biggest problem is the depth of its bench.

“At the end of the game, we ran out of bullets, to be honest,” he said to the Star-T. “We have some very good talent, but we’re having to play them both ways, just because some of the depth we’d like to have — we just we don’t have it.”

As for the Dragons, they took an initial step in achieving the first in every season’s three goals: To win district, to make a deep run in the playoffs and to win a state championship.

The Dragons’ back-to-back defeats by North Crowley and Allen will sting for a while. After all, consecutive losses at Carroll are rare. The last time it happened was a couple of decades ago.

But Munn said his team would continue to focus on getting better and being ready on game day.

“The kids did a really good job of diving into their prep, and I think it showed,” he told Baggarly. “Our kids did a really good job of playing fast and executing the game plan.”

Next up, the Haslet Eaton Eagles at home.

Go, Dragons!

Hudson Tomcheck celebrates a touchdown in last night's matchup with Keller Central.