Game Day: Southlake Carroll 30, Rockwall 23

The Rockwall Yellowjackets stared at visiting Southlake Carroll with hungry eyes last night, sizing up the Dragons as the main course in the victory dinner they have yet to enjoy this season.

And the Dragons responded to the dangerous attention by handing the Jackets all the ingredients for a successful feast. For much of the night, their potent offense sputtered, and their improving defense took a step backward, apparently forgetting the fundamentals of tackling.

But just as the Jackets appeared ready to swallow the Dragons whole, Carroll shook off its lethargy and denied Rockwall its seat at the head of the table.

Southlake coach Hal Wasson said the Dragons knew they were encountering a treacherous foe who believed it was better than its 0-2 record indicated.

“I’m not surprised at the dogfight we had tonight,” he said after the game. And he was candid about the execution problems his team suffered on both sides of the ball.

“We have work to do,” he admitted, “we’ll spent the next two weeks getting it done.”

Rockwall, perhaps the best 0-3 team in the area, was trampled by Highland Park in Week 1 and narrowly lost to Rowlett last week.

Taking the opening kickoff last night, it came roaring out the gate, with quarterback Matt Jones marching the Jackets decisively downfield. Jones, 17 of 29 for 229 yards and 1 TD, executed the Jacket game plan to perfection, spreading the ball to a talented corps of speedy running backs and peppering his receivers with well-timed and on-target passes.

 Southlake initially responded as its fans hoped, scoring quickly on its first two possessions, including a dramatic, and completely unexpected, quarterback draw that saw senior Mason Holmes dart through Jacket defenders and sprint 60 yards to paydirt.

In years past, such a feat would hardly be worth a mention. Dual-threat quarterbacks are as common in Southlake as Tiffany crystal and Armani suits. But unlike many of his predecessors, Holmes (18 of 27 for 280 yards and 1 TD) normally stays snug in the pocket, leading some skeptics to underestimate his overall effectiveness.

But Dragon coaches, perhaps realizing they needed something extra to counter victory-starved Rockwall, unleashed their senior quarterback last night, and Holmes seized the opportunity. As a result, he also was Carroll’s leading rusher, rolling to 81 yards on eight carries and 1 TD.

After the Dragons pulled ahead 14-7, many of us settled back with satisfaction, expecting Southlake to retain control of the game as the plucky Jackets faded.

But Rockwall wasn’t ready to call it a night, and their determination revealed itself on the next drive. Taking advantage of his speedy ground corps, Jones staged sweeps on both ends of the line, forcing Southlake to soften coverage in the center. Jones took advantage of the overtaxed D-line and bullied through repeatedly for key yardage. He ended the night with 51 yards rushing on nine carries.

Jones also enjoyed success in the air, sharing the wealth with Sam Crawford (9 receptions for 82 yards), Cameron Crayton (4 for 73) and A.J. Blacknall (2 for 60).

Southlake’s difficulty in stopping the pass allowed the Jackets to escape 4^th down situations seemingly at will and helped them craft a beautiful fake punt that set up a 37-yard field goal. That cut the Dragon lead to 4, blunting Carroll momentum and signaling the night was young and full of surprises.

Rockwall was most effective in slowing down the Carroll ground game, limiting leading RB Audricke Gaines to only 51 yards on 17 carries. Luckily for the Dragons, Holmes performed well in his debut as a running QB.

While the Dragons enjoyed some success with end-around sweeps featuring WRs Robert Barnes and Cade Bell, they were most reliable in the air. Bell ended the night with five receptions for 117 yards, followed by Jackson Davis (3 for 60) and Barnes (3 for 48).

Despite a sloppy first half, the Dragons showed poise and character amid the disarray.

When Rockwall scored early in the second quarter, taking a 16-14 lead, the Jackets threatened to take over the game. But it flubbed the snap for the extra-point try.

“All of a sudden, the ball was in my hands, I don’t know how,” said Dragon lineman Jacob Doddridge after the game. He rumbled all the way for 2 points, knotting the score at 16-16.

Later, as the first half drained down, Southlake stopped the Jackets near midfield and were driving for the score when Jacket defender Abbas Bell stepped in front of a Holmes pass and darted 71 yards to the Dragon 22. Crawford carried it in, and the Dragons trailed the surging Jackets once again, 23-16.

I caught a whiff of disaster at that point as it wafted faintly through Southlake’s side of Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium, but it dissipated soon enough. On the next series, the Dragons staged an 8-play, 75-yard drive culminated by a 34-yard Holmes pass to Barnes with 22 seconds left. Tie game, 23-all.

The second half was a different story. Southlake scored on its first possession with another eight-play, 75-yard drive. Then it dug in and held Rockwall scoreless for the remainder.

The Jackets had one more chance late in the final quarter. But Jones, after back-to-back illegal procedure calls, was sacked at his own 36. On 4^th and long, he lofted a Hail Mary into a scrum of players that bounced off two Dragons before falling to the turf. Game over.

And thus ends pre-district play for Carroll. Next week is a bye week for teams in District 5-6A. I predict there won’t be much rest for the Dragons after their uneven performance against the beleaguered Yellowjackets.

They begin district competition on Sept. 23, traveling to Flower Mound to take on the Jaguars, who are 1-2 for the season, falling in consecutive weeks to Keller Fossil Ridge and Keller Timber Creek.

Nothing is guaranteed in Texas high school football, but the Jags should be easy pickings. Not so, the next Dragon opponent on Sept. 30.  The mighty Trinity Trojans are undefeated thus far.

The Carroll-Trinity series is legendary and has produced some of the best high school football ever played. I expect this year to be no different.

Until Friday night lights burn bright again: Go Dragons!