Game Day: Southlake Carroll 51, Lewisville 0

The only suspense in last night’s contest between the Southlake Carroll Dragons and the Lewisville Fighting Farmers was whether Carroll’s practice squad could keep the desperate Farmers out of the end zone in a big-yawn 4^th quarter.

They did, to the satisfaction of the scattering of die-hard Dragon fans who stuck around for the post-game handshakes of a mismatch that was settled decisively by the middle of the 2^nd period.

In many respects, it was the Will Bowers Show, as the junior quarterback threw for four touchdowns to four separate receivers and rushed for two more.  He completed his first 11 throws of the game before ending the streak with an interception inside the Lewisville 10 with seconds left in the half.

But most of us were willing to forgive Bowers of the mishap, considering his effectiveness for most of the game. He completed 12 of 14 for 183 yards, including TD passes of 34 yards to Darryl Crockett, 23 yards to R.J. Mickens, 15 yards to Hudson Shrum and 7 yards to Jacob Doddridge.

He also ran 4 yards for a TD in the Dragons’ first-half scoring spree and capped his night with a 32-yard scamper in the 3^rd before turning over QB duties to senior Clayton Webb.

It was an impressive showing for Bowers, after his desultory performance last week in a losing effort to Euless Trinity. True, it was against a team inhabiting the cellar of District 5-6A along with L.D. Bell and Trophy Club Bryon Nelson. And true, Bowers still struggles with his long ball and with protecting the rock.

But he shook off any lingering effects of last week’s debacle against the Trojans, which certainly ended Dragon hopes of another 5-6A championship, and engineered successful drives in 5 of Carroll’s first 6 possessions.

An interesting side note of the game was the fact that both teams’ leading rushers shared the same last name. During the first couple of Lewisville possessions, when Farmer RB Treshaun McDaniel got the bulk of rushing assignments, the Dragon Stadium announcer kept referring to McDaniel this and McDaniel that. It occurred to me that perhaps the Dragons, in the spirit of good sportsmanship against an overmatched foe, had loaned the hapless Farmers the services of their standout RB, T.J. McDaniel (9 carries for 67 yards).

I know, I know. That’s ridiculous, of course, probably the result of a mind seeking a diversion from the slaughter of the innocents taking place on the field below.

Also providing entertainment during the rout were Mickens, the Dragons' sophomore phenom, and kicker Neal Koskay.

Mickens, who plays both sides as cornerback/receiver, probably could kick the ball and order a pizza, too, if the need arose. Along with the 1^st-quarter TD pass, he snagged a 3^rd-quarter punt and scooted 70 yards, virtually untouched, to the end zone.

Koskay, who had missed an extra point earlier, ended Carroll scoring late in the 4^th when he booted a 50-yard field goal, a feat to be celebrated at any time, even when it occurs with the night’s opponent thoroughly chastened and backups playing at every position, save kicker and holder.

After the frustration of watching the Dragons blow a 17-point lead in last week’s “tale of two halves” performance against Trinity, it was satisfying to see a Carroll offense clicking in rhythm both on the ground and in the air and to watch its young defense effectively smother a running game and completely disrupt a passing one.

The Farmers (1-5, 0-3) managed only 6 first downs for the night in compiling a paltry 28 yards in the air and 84 on the ground. It was truly an epic butt-kicking by the Dragons

But the massacre didn’t quell nagging doubts about this team’s ability to handle the more challenging foes it faces down the district road.

Flower Mound Marcus (4-2, 3-1) is coming up next, and district-leading Lewisville Hebron (5-1, 3-0) face the Dragons Nov. 10 on the last game of the regular season. Hebron defeated Marcus last night 33-10 to keep pace with Trinity at the top of 5-6A.

Despite the quality of the opponent, last night’s Dragon victory represents, one hopes, a definitive shift into high gear for this young squad as it plunges into the last half of its district schedule and prepares mentally and physically for the playoffs.

Head coach Hal Wasson said as much in post-game radio interviews.

“This was a real confidence builder for us,” he said. “Our players prepared hard, and they played hard. We’ll observe the 24-hour rule (enjoy the victory) and get ready for the next one.”

Last week, Wasson had called out his players, with uncharacteristic bluntness, for sloppy play and the failure to finish drives. Last night, he said he was delighted with the Dragons’ scoring efficiency and defensive effectiveness against the Farmers.

 Dragon Stadium was awash in Homecoming mums. One Emerald Belle’s gigantic mum covered her entire body and obscured much of her face. It was impressive, even from the green seats where I admired it – and marveled at the sheer glorious excess it represented.

I know it’s hard for Midwesterners and northerners to understand the big deal about mums. But I’d predict that about 65 percent of the girls – and guys – wearing mums last night have parents who hail from up north. Many Dragon parents may not understand it, but they have embraced the concept imaginatively and enthusiastically. God bless ’em.

Tread carefully, Marauders. The Imaginary Creatures are waiting for you. Go Dragons!