by EJ Holland
Southlake Carroll opened district play with a bang.
The Dragons played arguably their most complete game yet asbrthey racked up more than 400 yards of total offense and recorded four turnoversbrin a 42-7 blowout win over Flower Mound.
“It was a huge win for us,” said head coach Hal Wasson said.br“Anytime you win a district game on the road, it's big. I'm proud of outbrplayers and coaches. You don't want to start district play on a bad note. Itbrwas a dominant performance.”
Now, Southlake Carroll must put the elation of victorybrbehind them and focus on perhaps its toughest test of the season — fellowbrDallas-area powerhouse and undefeated rival Euless Trinity.
King Newton (91), Clark Par (47) and Kevin Cramer (18) gang tackle Euless Trinity quarterback Tyler Natee during the Dragon's 10-6 victory in 2014. Will the Dragon defense stand up once again?
The two teams squared off as district foes for the firstbrtime two years ago. Southlake Carroll came away with a tough, hard fought 10-6victory. Last season, Euless Trinity got the best of the Dragons with a 37-35win.
Wasson doesn't normally stress ‘big' games, but this week isbra little different.
“It's like I told the team this morning, it's the biggestbrgame of the year,” Wasson said. “I'm not going to insult their intelligence.brThey know there is a lot at stake. It's at our house. Euless Trinity is a greatbrfootball team. This is why you coach and play — for moments like these.”
Euless Trinity's Chris Jensen is only in his second year asbrhead coach, but the Trojans have continued to play the physical brand ofbrfootball that made it a Texas high school football juggernaut.
The Trojans run the ball on approximately 80 percent of itsbroffensive plays with a strong stable of backs led by Courage Klein. Overall,brEuless Trinity is averaging 273.8 yards rushing per game behind its mammothbroffensive line.
Last season, Euless Trinity racked up an eye-popping 606bryards rushing against the Dragons. This year, however, Southlake Carroll, isbronly surrendering 167 yards rushing per contest.
“All good programs have an identity,” Wasson said. “You knowbrwhat you are going to get, but you can't simulate it in practice. The goodbrthing is we played Tulsa Union early in the season. They are similar in speed andbrstrength and also featured a strong running attack.
“Trinity is going to run right at you and will use its speedbron the perimeter. They scheme you where they make your second and third levelbrplayers tackle. There is no doubt where they are going to attack you.”
Defensively, Euless Trinity is giving just 17.8 points perbrgame. The Trojans are especially strong in the secondary with Texas Techbrcommits John Davis and Cam'ron Jones. As usual, the Trojans also have a dominantbrdefensive line, which features stud junior defensive end Chris Makahununiu.
“We can't get behind on the chains,” Wasson said. “That'sbrgoing to be a big deal for us. We have to be cognizant of that. We have tobrexecute the game plan and play disciplined football on offense.”
With their last two games decided by a grand total of justbrsix points, Friday's colossal clash should be a dandy.