Robert Barnes (22) shoots the gap to stop Coppell QB Brady McBride (7) from crossing the goal line on a 2-pt conversion in overtime. Dragons win 38-37. Photo by Stewart Johnson @ SnappedDragons.com
It wasn't pretty from the start, but Southlake Carroll football opened up district play on Friday with a 1-point victory over rival Coppell, 38-37. Mason Holmes went 20/41 for 318 yards and four touchdowns - three of them to Zach Farrar, who caught eight for 222 yards.
The Dragons fumbled a punt early, giving the Cowboys great field position to score on the ground with 5 minutes to play in the first. Then, with 40 seconds to go in the quarter, Holmes threw an interception as Carroll was approaching the endzone. It took Coppell more than 8 minutes to get there, but they responded with a score, increasing their lead to 14.
After exchanging three and outs, the Dragons finally got on the board as the first half was coming to a close when Farrar and Holmes connected on a long pass for the touchdown. The 93-yard drive got the Dragons back into position to contend. Luckily, Carroll's defense held strong, forcing Coppell to kick a field goal at the end of the half, but the kick was no good.
To open the half, Coppell scored again and then answered on defense, forcing a turnover on a fumble in the redzone. The Dragon defense held the Cowboys to a field goal on the ensuing drive.
Farrar and Holmes connected again on the first play of the following drive for a 75-yard score. Despite a blocked punt by Carroll special teams, and great field position, the Dragons could not capitalize, giving the ball back to Coppell early in the fourth quarter. Low and behold, the defense stopped the Cowboys again, giving Holmes the opportunity to connect once more for a Farrar touchdown.
Zach Farrar raises up to
Zach Farrar raises up to
catch a Mason Holmes pass.
Farrar caught 8 passes for
226 yards and 3 TDs to help
seal a 38-37 OT victory over
Coppell.
Photo by
Stewart@SnappedDragons.com
With 7:46 left in regulation, Carroll inched closer, 24-21. The game got exciting as the clock ticked away. With 12 seconds to go, Kole Ramage kicked the game-tying field goal.
In overtime, Coppell scored first and the drama continued. On 4th and goal, Kam Duhon caught one from Holmes to save the Dragons from defeat. In second overtime, Lil'Jordan Humphrey scored for his first time to put the Dragons ahead, also for the first time, 38-31. Humphrey had 80 yards rushing and 34 receiving yards on the night.
Coppell answered with a score of its own and it all came down to special teams, as the Cowboys decided to go for two. It wasn't meant to be, though, as Dragon Pride Player of the Week Robert Barnes stood quarterback Brady McBride up, turning him away from the endzone and winning the game for Carroll.
Barnes had 11 tackles. Leading the way for the defense was Barrett Buck with 16 tackles and five passes deflected. Jackson Carter and Jacob Dodridge added sacks.
Up next, Carroll hosts Richland on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Dragon Stadium. The Rebels are 3-3 this year and 2-0 in district play.
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