Game Day: Southlake Carroll 45, Flower Mound 31

The Southlake Carroll Dragons never were in any real trouble last night in their District 5-6A opener against the Flower Mound Jaguars. So why did it feel like the Dragons were in a real dogfight, with the outcome in doubt until the last minutes of the game?

The Fort Worth Star Telegram called the game a rout for the Dragons, emphasizing junior QB Will Bowers’ three passing touchdowns and one rushing one, and praising standout RB T.J. McDaniels’ 193-yard rushing night and two TDs. It pointed out that Carroll never had to punt in its 13 possessions of the night.

And when you put it like that, my nervousness during the entire game does seem a little silly. Perhaps the football gurus scattered across Dragon Stadium knew the Dragons had everything under control.

After all, the Jaguars, 1-3 for the season, have a backup QB, called to service when the Jags’ starting signal-caller went down in Week 2. And Blake Short had trouble connecting with his receivers all evening, completing 22 passes on 43 attempts and tossing two interceptions.

Unfortunately for the sophomore still learning his trade, the Dragons effectively shut down Flower Mound’s running game, forcing Short to take to the air. The Carroll secondary was less dominant, relying on Short and his receivers to do the dirty work. And they did – mostly.

Offensively, the Dragons outgained the Jaguars 623 total yards to 300, and racked up 27 first downs compared to 17 for FloMo. They took the lead early and never surrendered it.

On the other hand, one of the reasons the Dragons never punted is that they turned the ball over three times on failed 4th-down attempts. They also flubbed a kickoff return, mishandled a punt snap, committed three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and had a fake field goal stuffed. Dragon miscues handed the Jaguars two scores at least. A pristine victory it certainly wasn't.

To their credit, the feisty Jaguars never gave up and stayed close enough for most of the night to keep things interesting. In fact, during a momentum swing spanning the end of the first and the beginning of the second halves, it actually appeared Flower Mound would erase an 18-point Dragon lead, 28-10, and seize the reins of the game.

With five minutes left in the half, the Jags capitalized on a bad snap during a Dragon punt attempt to take possession on the Dragon 33. Seven plays later, they scored as time expired, making it 28-17.

Thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on that play, the Jaguars opened the second half with a drive that started on their own 41. They clawed their way to inside the Dragon 5, where Short connected with Pierce Hudgens in the end zone. Hudgens then plunged across the line for 2, bringing Flower Mound within 3, 28-25.

On the ensuing kickoff, a muddled return could have forced the Dragons to begin at their 5, were it not for a fortunate offside call against Flower Mound. Even so, another unsportsmanlike conduct call forced Carroll to set up shop on its 14.

Fueled by a 27-yard Bowers pass to Cade Bell and a 20-yard sprint by McDaniel, the Dragons battled down to the Jag 19. Three straight incomplete passes later, the Dragons faced a 4^th down and lined up for a 26-yard field goal. Instead, Bowers received the snap and scampered forward, but was obliterated short of the 1^st down.

That was the low point for the Dragons. The defense rallied to stop the Jags deep in their territory and forced a punt to the 45. Two plays later, Bowers found WR Wills Meyer, the Dragons’ leading receiver with 124 yards. He scooted 44 yards for a TD, handing Carroll a comfortable10-point lead, 35-25.

Both teams would score again in an entertaining 4^th, but the die was cast.

 It was another standout performance by Bowers, 18 of 27 for 286 yards, and by McDaniels, who got most of his yardage by running up the gut of the Jag defensive line. Bowers also added to his rushing resume, keeping the ball 11 times for 123 yards.

In addition to Meyer, Bowers tossed the ball to seven other receivers, including McDaniel, who snagged 3 for 49 yards. This abundance of riches in the receiving corps isn’t unusual in a Dragon offense. But why in the world is stellar linebacker Jacob Doddridge, sidelined earlier this year for a concession, catching two passes for 14 yards?

My 2 cents: Doddridge, an essential linchpin for the Dragons’ young defense, and fellow linebacker R. J. Mickens, the sophomore phenom who caught an interception last night while playing havoc with Jag receivers, should stay on defense where they are most needed and most effective.

Euless Trinity is next up for the Dragons. The Trojans may be in a current down cycle, but they are never to be taken lightly. Trinity-Carroll games are legend, and with good reason. Something different – a special kind of football magic – happens when these two storied programs meet.

Each holds the other in high regard. Each considers a victory over the other as more valuable than other wins. Each prepares harder and more carefully for their contests. Each fan base roots for the other in every game except this one.

Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at venerable Pennington Field, a favorite venue of mine and a great place to watch high school football. Is there any better way to spend a Friday night in October? I think not!

Go Dragons!