A sound beating: Southlake Carroll 43, Keller Timber Creek 19

 

2025 file photo. Dragons celebrate last year's 55-13 victory over the Timber Creek Falcons. Last night's matchup had a similar outcome.

Never in doubt

SOUTHLAKE – To be charitable about it – a bit too charitable, perhaps? – let me just say that the Keller Timber Creek Falcons didn’t go down without a fight.

They fought. But down, down, down, they did plummet. And the outcome of their District 4-6A contest last night against the Southlake Carroll Dragons was never in doubt.

Outmanned, outgunned and generally outfought, they quickly became another victim of the Dragon dreadnought as it sails toward yet another district championship.

Oh, yes, the Falcons had their moments. But alas, they were brief and carried no impact. Truth be told, most occurred after Carroll – the game well in hand – had allowed its second-string players some glory minutes under Friday night lights.

Last night was an opportunity for Dragon stars to shine, and shine brightly, they most certainly did.

Leading the way

Wide receiver Blake Gunter led the way, scoring on two beautiful passing plays, rushing for a third score – and taking direct snaps from center when short yardage absolutely had to be gotten.

He’s headed to Cal after graduation, and the Golden Bears are lucky to get him. Word is that the coaches there know it.

Junior quarterback Hudson Tomcheck, who is growing better and more confident with each passing game, led the Dragons in rushing, amassing 92 yards in only five tries and snagging a 6-yard touchdown to put the cherry on top.

He also completed 18 of 30 passes for 211 yards and two TDs (both by the worthy Gunter, as noted above).

Brooks Biggers had a solid night, rushing 11 times for 85 yards. Dez Bryant Jr. (5-27), who started the season as a member of the Dragon receiving corps, has received a boatload of attention for his success on the ground, and understandably so. But Biggers deserves kudos for the hard-charging determination he brings to the Dragon ground game.

Bryant, for his part, has come on like a house afire in the last two games. He endured a somewhat quiet night against the Falcons, but he still scored the Dragons’ first TD on a 10-yard scramble. Shaken up later after a brutal hit by a Falcon defender, he sat out the remainder of the evening.

The Falcons fought gamely for the entire night, but they were overwhelmed from the get-go. The Dragon D shut down their running game, limiting them to only 79 rushing yards.

More successful

Timber Creek’s leading rusher, quarterback Lane Brinkley, managed only 28 yards in 14 carries. He was more successful in the air, completing 14 of 25 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns.

But it should be noted that two of those scores came in the last quarter, with Carroll holding a 31-7 lead and benching many of its starting defenders.

The Dragons came on strong from the opening kickoff, with Bryant getting them on the board 2 minutes into the game. Chase Sarver then intercepted an errant Brinkley pass and returned the ball to the Dragon 45. On the very next play, Tomcheck threw a 55-yard bomb to Gunter in the end zone. 14-0 and counting.

Carroll added a 34-yard field goal early in the second quarter, then blocked a 31-yard 3-pointer attempt by the Falcons. Tomcheck put together a dandy 80-yard scoring march that he supercharged with a 41-yard scramble to the Falcon 39 after being flushed him from the pocket. Bryant followed with a 20-yard sprint, and Gunter finished things off with a 2-yard bolt that sent Carroll into halftime with a 24-0 lead.

Timber Creek finally got on the board midway through the third quarter when Brinkley lofted a 52-yard missile to Ebube Okwelume. Carroll responded with a 35-yard TD pass from Tomcheck to Gunter, restoring the Dragons’ 24-point lead and setting up the final 12 minutes of play.

The fourth quarter’s sole distinction could be the curious fact that although each team rolled to a pair of touchdowns, neither could successfully convert points after the score.

Carroll stifled two 2-point conversions by the Falcons (after a 55-yard TD reception by Okwelume and a 17-yard catch by Asher Edwards). The Dragons, on the other hand, muffed two PATs (after a 6-yard run by Tomcheck and a 24-yard scoring pass from Palmer Pensom to Gavin Jackson).

Plaguing penalties

Penalties continue to plague the Southlake squad, although it’s only fair to point out that things are getting better. The Dragons were penalized six times last night for 47 yards on a variety of offenses. By comparsion, the Falcons racked up three for 17.

Such a disparity made no difference last night – or in previous contests. But come the playoffs (roll ominous sound effects), such sloppy, undisciplined activity could be deadly. (OK, I’ll be quiet now.)

The Dragons, 6-2 for the season and undefeated in 4-6A, travel to Boswell next Thursday for the last regular-season game. Dragonheads anticipate another cakewalk.

Then comes the beginning of the real season for Carroll – the playoffs. Dominating District 4-6A is no big feat. While the first team goal for the Dragons is to bring home the district trophy, it’s only the first step in achieving the Valhalla of high school football – a state championship.

Can this team bring home a ninth state trophy?

Odds-makers and the “wise men” of Texas football would say probably not. And I’d have to agree. But who knows? As the old saw goes, “That’s why we play the game.”

The Dragons will be competing in the “small-school” Division II of Class 6A. And because they’ll enter the post-season as district champs, Round One will be played at Dragon Stadium. Opponent? TBD.

That’s where you’ll find me, sitting in my comfortable green seat, munching a Feedstore pulled-pork sandwich and contemplating the mysteries of the universe. Life is good.

Go, Dragons!