Game Day: Euless Trinity 37, Southlake Carroll 35

It looked for a moment like it actually might happen. The Southlake Carroll Dragons, battered and bruised all last night from the onslaughts of the No. 2-ranked Euless Trinity Trojans’ stellar rushing game, had clawed to within 3 with 3 minutes left in the game.

Victory, sweet victory, was within reach. And against a fearsome opponent everyone expects to see in the state finals.

The Trojans had failed to bury the Dragons with their crushing frontal assault, even though by night’s end, they compiled an astounding 603 yards rushing on 53 attempts.

Trinity’s offensive star, running back Ja'Ron Wilson (31 carries for 339 yards), continued his phenomenal drive to D-I college football, slashing through the beleaguered Dragon defense at will or simply out-sprinting it. Trinity’s 6-2, 240-pound quarterback, the massive Tyler Natee (10 carries for 157 yards), couldn’t be stopped.  On one crucial drive in the fourth quarter, Natee ran 82 yards on six carries.

And yet, the Carroll offense, led by junior quarterback Mason Holmes (24 of 36, 238 yards and 3 TDs), had kept the Dragons close. At midpoint in the fourth, trailing by 10, the desperate Dragons brought their offensive weapons to bear. Running backs Lil’ Jordan Humphrey (16 carries for 92 yards) and Shemar Coleman (6 for 46 rushing and 4 for 34 receiving) powered the drive, with Humphrey even taking two snaps from the wildcat formation.

Against Trinity, you reach deep into the bag of tricks.

That critical drive brought the Dragons to within a mouth-watering 3 points of the Trojans, 31-28, after Coleman, who ended the night with two rushing TDs and one passing score, punched the ball over from the 1.

That’s when a tingling glimmer of hope began to compete with the knot that had been in my stomach all evening. If the Dragons could just get the ball back – and keep the irresistible Trojan giants out of the end zone – they were within reach of an implausible upset.

The anticipated onside kick failed, setting up the Trojans at their 40. And on the first play from scrimmage, running back De’Jaun Garrett (8 carries, 103 yards) darted around the left end and roared 60 yards to the goal line, essentially putting the game out of reach.

But the agony wasn’t quite over. Trinity muffed its extra-point attempt, leaving the score at 37-28. That offered the mournful Dragon faithful the tantalizing, if unlikely, scenario that if the Dragons could score quickly, then get the ball back, they might, just might, have time to get close enough for a field goal, thus eking out a 1-point victory in their storied series against Trinity.

They accomplished the first part of the fantasy. Setting up shop on their 40, the Dragons moved smartly against the Trojans, thanks in part to a double-reverse pass bit of trickery that brought the ball to the Trinity 15. And with 1:46 to play, Holmes rifled the ball to Humphrey (10 receptions for 105 yards) for the score.

Another onside kick failed, and thanks to the efforts of the amazing Wilson, the Trojans ran out the clock. Game over.

Wilson clearly was the star of the night. His 339 rushing yards hand him a team record and demonstrate why he’s one of the most celebrated runners in the state.

On a key series in the fourth quarter, with the score 24-21 and Natee sidelined briefly with a leg injury, Trinity backup Malini Maile put the game in Wilson’s hands. Good decision.

Wilson first converted a third-and-13 with a breathtaking 49-yard run, then followed with an dazzling scoring play that had even Dragon fans nodding grudgingly with admiration and respect.

The Trojans faced a third-and-11 on the Dragon 16 when Wilson took the ball and headed left. Seeing Carroll defenders scramble to cut him off, he reversed field and sped right. At midfield, he spotted a seam and turned for the goal line, slipping easily across for the score.

By defeating Carroll, Trinity remains undefeated. It stands at No. 2 in state rankings behind the Allen Eagles and almost certainly will make a deep run in the playoffs, where it could very well face Allen in the finals for the big-school division of 6A. What a Christmas present that would be for high school football fans across Texas.

For Carroll (5-2, 2-1 in 7-6A), last night’s loss is painful, but not devastating. It still will make the playoffs, probably in the small-school division, and the strengths it demonstrated against the Trojans could keep it playing until Thanksgiving, the goal of all top-flight programs.

Its multi-faceted offense kept it in the game last night until the very end. Humphrey and Coleman on the ground, Holmes and his receivers – led by Humphrey and senior Zach Farrar (6 for 71, 1 TD) – in the air proved they can keep up with anyone.

And strange as it may sound after the overtaxed defense gave up more than 600 yards in rushing, there’s even some good news there. Dragon defenders were bloodied by Trinity’s aggressive 0-line and shredded by its wicked-good runners, but they never gave up and never were  overwhelmed. They stood firm at key moments and managed to hold Trinity scoreless in the third quarter. Unfortunately, Trinity’s defense accomplished the same goal against Carroll in the third, stopping the Dragons on two successive series that helped seal their doom.

 Thus ends another chapter in the phenomenal history of these two programs, which have met five times and produced classic high school football matchups each time, contests characterized by hard, gritty play, high emotion and good sportsmanship.

Like many Southlake fans, I root for the Trojans in every game except this one. Trinity is a class act and the Trinity kids are terrific – fierce competitors on the field, but respectful off it. They exhibit a strong work ethic and put in the time and effort it takes to be winners. They’re disciplined athletes who play with skill and emotion.

And what can you say about the Haka, except that it’s the neatest, and most inspirational, spirit tradition that I’ve ever seen. Here’s good luck to the Trojans the rest of the way.

Carroll, meanwhile, returns to Dragon Stadium next week to face Colleyville Heritage, which also stands 2-1 in 7-6A play after smashing hapless L.D. Bell last night 52-3.

The Panthers, another likely playoff team, shouldn't be treated lightly. They have never beaten the Dragons, a shameful legacy they would dearly love to erase. All the more reason for Carroll to be faithful to its mission: “Protect the tradition.” Go Dragons!