by EJ Holland
Southlake Carroll is coming off a much needed bye week where the Dragons used the time off to get healthy, improve somebrareas of weakness and get better overall.
“We tried to enhance some things,” said head coach HalbrWasson. “We wanted to get better in certain areas. We worked on those things.brWe've had seven or eight guys out, so we are working on getting them back. Butbrwe just used it to get better.”
Now, Southlake Carroll is set to enter the second season —brotherwise known as district play. The Dragons currently sit at 2-1 afterbrfalling to Tulsa Union and bouncing back with victories over Arlington Martin and Rockwall.
Southlake Carroll's experienced defense is giving up fewer than 20 points perbrgame, and the offense gradually showed signs of improvement as the non-districtbrslate ran its course.
“I think early on we were trying to find our identity,”brWasson said. “They kind of know who they are now and are starting to spreadbrtheir wings. I like where this team is and how hard they are working. Now, it'sbrabout finding that mental edge. That Dragon mentality.”
Southlake Carroll's first district test will come on thebrroad on Friday night when the Dragons take on the Jaguars of Flower Mound HSbrwho enter district play at 1-2.
Flower Mound been a district bottom-feeder for years and isbrcoming off a one-win campaign. But the tide might be turning in the Jaguars'brfavor. Flower Mound has a new attitude and swagger thanks to first-year headbrcoach Brian Basil.
With Basil at the helm, the Jaguars already matched lastbryear's win total and played close games against Keller Fossil Ridge and Keller TimberbrCreek. Wasson made it clear that Southlake Carroll will not underestimate itsbropponent.
“We're both 0-0 again,” Wasson said. “You have to stressbrthat with your team. Flower Mound is coming in with a rejuvenated attitude.brThey are going to start the game hot and strong. We have to weather the stormbrand get to work. The pressure is magnified in district play.”
While the Jaguars have struggled defensively, the offense,brled by junior quarterback Jackson Averitt, is averaging an impressive 37 pointsbrper game.
“We have to play great defense,” Wasson said. “They havebrreally good skill guys. They run a good, balanced spread attack. They are goingbrto try to dink and dunk on us. We have to be disciplined. Offensively, we havebrto be disciplined as well and limit mistakes. We expect a hostile environment.”