Game Day: Southlake Carroll 52, Lewisville Hebron 34

When the time came to seize sole ownership of the District 5-6A championship, Southlake Carroll’s senior playmakers stepped forward last night and grabbed it, leaving in their wake the bruised and sullen Hebron Hawks.

And it happened on Senior Night at Dragon Stadium. Perfect. Just perfect.

The Hawks (7-3) will enter the playoffs as 5-6A first seed in Division I (big school). But they harbored loftier ambitions, hoping to steal a share of the district championship by whipping Carroll.

The Dragons, however, motivated by little else than pride and competitive drive, would have none of that, employing a crushing ground game to overwhelm the ambitious Hawks.

Carroll, the district crown poised jauntily across its sweaty brow, will host District 6-6A’s Wylie next Friday at Dragon Stadium in the Division II (small school) bi-district playoff round. The Pirates fell hard last night to mighty Allen, 49-0, as they finished up their first regular season in the 6A classification. They face Plano East in the first round.

While it isn’t unusual to see the Dragon O-line control the line of scrimmage and score at will against an opponent on its home turf, last night was a bit different. Known traditionally for its high-flying aerial prowess, Carroll pummeled the Hawks on the ground, gaining 409 rushing yards and employing a trio of senior runners to eviscerate the Hebron D-line.

Audrick Gaines led the way, gaining 237 yards on 28 carries and four touchdowns. In his best outing of the year by far, Gaines closed in on Carroll rushing records and almost achieved five rushing TDs, a feat never accomplished by a Dragon runner.

Gaines scored first for the Dragons, capping an 8-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 21-yard sprint to paydirt on a 3-and-7. And he helped set up the Dragons’ last TD in the fourth period, taking the ball on another third down at the Hebron 29 and barreling his way to what would have been his fifth TD. When Gaines crashed to the turf at the 1, a faint sigh escaped my lips as he narrowly missed making Dragon history.

 In the early minutes of the first quarter, it looked like the Hawks would be easy pickings for the local heroes. After Carroll’s quick first score, the Hawks coughed up the ball at their own 16 on their first offensive play of the game. Four plays later, senior quarterback Mason Williams (9 for 11, 89 yards, 1 TD) pitched the ball to senior receiver Jackson Davis (3-24, 1 TD) who took it in from the 5.

On their next possession, the Hawks once again fumbled on their first play, this time giving the ball up at their 29.  The Dragons then drove to the 9, where senior halfback Tre Sledge took the ball from Holmes and it into double coverage in the end zone, connecting with a  receiver wearing the wrong uniform.

Two plays later, Hawk runner Evan Powell bullied through Dragon defenders and raced 74 yards to the end zone to make it a one-score game.

From that point until the half, the Dragons and the Hawks traded TDs. Dragon defenders were unable to put pressure on strong-armed Hebron quarterback Clayton Tune, who peppered his receivers at will, completing 20 of 28 for 210 yards and 1 TD. Trejan Bridges caught11 for 106 yards and 1 TD, Jaren Mitchell got 8 for 72 and Powell snagged 3 for 49 and 1 TD.  Powell also led in rushing for Hebron, carrying 6 times for 87 yards and 2 TDs.

Hebron’s beleaguered defense had no answer for the Dragon ground assault. Carroll’s O-line blasted holes in the Hawk front line, and Dragon runners had a field day all night.

In addition to the formidable Gaines and Sledge (11 carries for 80 yards), senior Jack Johansson was a beast, running 8 times for 58 yards and 2 TDs. He also nabbed two Holmes passes for 24 yards.

In the decisive third period, Dragon defenders implemented halftime adjustments and managed to hold Hebron to consecutive 3-and-outs and a single first down on its third drive. That allowed Holmes and company to jump to a three-score lead they never relinquished, including an impressive 50-yard field goal by kicker supreme Kole Ramage. He’s already booted 3-pointers of 55 and 47 yards this season.

After the game, an ebullient Johansson said in a post-game radio interview that the Dragons took to heart head coach Hal Wasson’s verdict that the Hawks had the best offense the Dragons would face all year, including that of Tulsa Union, which handed Carroll its only loss this season.

“We knew they thought they could hang with us,” Johansson said. “We had to stop them and we did.”

For the seniors on the Dragon squad, last night was their last regular season game at Dragon stadium. They’ll play there at least once more, when they meet Wylie next week.

But the realization is beginning to hit home for many that their football playing days soon will be over.

Senior defensive lineman Luke Jeter, asked after the game about the significance of Senior Night, grew solemn.

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” he said. “Then it hit me like a truck. This is coming to an end. This is our last regular season game.”

The interviewer waited for Jeter to go on, but the senior had nothing left to say.

Next week, a playoff game at home. I can’t wait. Go Dragons!