District rampage: Southlake Carroll 63, Keller Central 7

Still unbeaten and unbowed.

Ruling the field

SOUTHLAKE – If the Keller Central Chargers were heartened by news that Southlake Carroll’s two best running backs – unstoppable junior Owen Allen and dazzling sophomore James Lehman – would sit out last night’s district matchup, nursing injuries received the week before, they were doomed to disappointment.

Enter sophomore Maddux Reid, who easily stepped into cleats and led a brutal and balanced Dragon offense that quickly overwhelmed the hapless Chargers and set Carroll up nicely for a looming showdownSenior Dragon linebacker Allan Kleiman, a rapacious presence all night, nabbed both interceptions, which set up the pair of Samson TDs.

 for the District 4-6A championship with the Haslet Eaton Eagles.

Reid, who has exhibited a precocious flair this season when he has appeared late in games in which the outcome already has been decided, slipped easily into the dominant role last night. Taking enthusiastic advantage of the holes his O-line ripped in the Central front, he ruled the field, averaging almost 12 yards a carry in rushing 118 yards for 3 touchdowns.

Shining star

Fairly typical of his performance was a dazzling 46-yard run in the 2^nd quarter. Roaring through the middle, Reid led disoriented defenders on a footrace to the goal line, where he evaded a trio of Chargers and threw himself into the end zone.

While Reid’s star shined brightest, it wasn’t the only sparkle in the Dragon constellation.

Quarterback Kaden Anderson had a solid performance, passing for 277 yards and 3 TDs. He also begain the Dragon rampage with a 2-yard dart to the end zone that capped the first Dragon drive.

Anderson threw for one interception and still displayed a maddening tendency to overthrow his receivers downfield. Leading receiver Landon Samson, who caught 2 TD passes, could have had at least two more but for throws sent just beyond his fingertips.

Against a more worthy opponent – such as, say, the upcoming Eaton – a more effective long ball might be decisive. Still, it seems silly to harp on the misfires, considering young Anderson’s output and effective management of the game.

The Dragon defense showed its usual dominance, stifling Central at every turn. It held the hapless Chargers to only 191 total yards and intercepted both of the quarterbacks fielded by Central. This despite the absence of one of its bulwarks, recuperating defensive lineman Cade Parks.

Interception king

The first placed Carroll deep in Central territory. Anderson, facing a 4^th-and-7 at the 24, connected with a wide-open Samson hovering near the goal line, widening the Dragon lead 14-0.

The second was even more dramatic.

The Chargers had installed Kelden Ryan at QB to replace the struggling Jack Helsey. Ryan quickly threw a 6-yard pass, then ran for another 7. But the opportunistic Kleiman extinguished the Ryan spark by snatching his next pass and putting the Dragons back in business at the Charger 36.

After three straight incompletions, Anderson found sophomore Jacob Jordan, making a spectacular debut as a varsity starter, who carried it to the 9. Anderson just missed Samson in the end zone on the next play. Reid bulldozed to the 3.

At that point, Anderson again sought out Samson, who was drifting across the back of the end zone. Reaching high, Samson pulled in the ball as his momentum carried his body over the line. But Samson, a South Carolina commit, desperately dragged his toes as he sailed out of bounds. Dragons extended their lead to 21-0, and savagery Dragon onslaught began in earnest.

Once again, Carroll backups got plenty of playing time last night, always the mark of a blowout. The Dragon secondary began substituting late in the 1^st half. With a 49-0 lead at half, Carroll’s action team was fully in place on both sides of the ball during the entire second half.

That’s always satisfying to see. Not only because it means the Dragons have things safely in hand. But more importantly, it gives kids who work just as hard as any of the starters a chance to shine before family and friends. As head coach Riley Dodge rightly observes at every opportunity, they are the key to Dragon success.

They help prepare the Dragons for each game, and they stand on the sidelines ready to stand in for fallen comrades. Upon their shoulders rests the whole concept of “Next Man Up.”

A scene from last year's contest.

Backup performances

It’s immensely satisfying to see a head coach who understands that. Riley Dodge’s father did, but the younger Dodge’s predecessor didn’t. That’s why the program deteriorated under him, despite its continued winning record.

A couple of the backup performances deserve attention.

When Central went 3-and-out on its first 2^nd half possession, backup QB Caden Jackson carried the Dragons to the Charger 36, a drive powered by two receptions by Brady Johnson. Then Jackson handed the ball to junior RB Conner Hill.

Hill, touching the ball for the first time in a varsity game, rumbled 36 yards to the Dragons’ 8^th touchdown of the night. And that’s why I stay in my green seat long after others have headed for home, confident of victory – or defeat. Even in a blowout, emotion and heart – the things I love most about high school football – remain.

I also call your attention to one Austin Page, a senior normally listed as a linebacker. For the two past games, Page has come in late and taken over rushing duties.

And he has excelled. Last week against Keller, he rushed 7 times for 52 yards during the final 4 minutes of play. Last night, he rolled up 53 yards in 9 attempts, setting up the Dragons’ final score by taking the ball to the 1.

Only human

Then for some inexplicable reason, Page was taken out, and Jacob Marsh was put in his place to make the final Dragon score. Why? The previous week, Page was on the verge of scoring in the final seconds of the game, when Jackson was ordered to take a knee.

 I get it. Good sportsmanship means you don’t unnecessarily run up the score.

But backups are only human. They are called upon to play just as hard as the starters. To hold them back, denying them their normal competitive instincts, doesn’t seem quite right.

Why deny Page the glory of a TD under Friday Night Lights?  I know. Coaches gotta coach. But regardless of the reasons, my heart goes out to the worthy Page.

He labors unheralded, but not unloved.

Next week is a bye week for Carroll. It comes at a perfect time for the 7-0 Dragons. Time to heal. And time to gameplan for perhaps its biggest challenge this season – the Oct. 21 matchup against Eaton. It will be, in all probability, the game that decides the District 4-6A championship.

Eaton, 6-1 and like Carroll undefeated in district, handled Keller 43-21 last night. It could be a tough nut to crack. But with a week to heal and scheme, I like the Dragons to continue their winning ways.

Go Dragons!

Next up, Eaton! A scene from last year's game.