by Justin Thomas
Nov. 25 - Will Bowers dives for the end zone for a TD during a 33-15 win over the DeSoto Eagles in the Area round of the 2017 UIL Playoffs at the Ford Center in Frisco, TX. Photo by S.Johnson/SnappedDragons.com
Nov. 25 - Will Bowers dives for the end zone for a TD during a 33-15 win over the DeSoto Eagles in the Area round of the 2017 UIL Playoffs at the Ford Center in Frisco, TX. Photo by S.Johnson/SnappedDragons.com
Southlake Carroll's football team is back in the regionalbrround of the playoffs following a two-year hiatus. Hal Wasson's team is peakingbrat the right time after upending reigning state champ DeSoto in the area roundbrSaturday at The Ford Center (The Star) in Frisco.
After seeing their season come to a close in the 2016 areabrround against the Eagles, 48-30 (see recap here), the Dragons exacted their revenge on Saturdaybrholding DeSoto off the scoreboard for nearly 40 consecutive minutes of gamebrtime in a 33-15 victory.
Carroll scored 26 consecutive points during the stretchbrand returns to the third round for the first time since 2014.
Health plays a lot into a team's psyche this time of yearbrand pair of Dragons who missed multiple games played big in the win for Carroll. Running back TJ McDaniel spearheaded the offensive effortbrwith 182 total yards and two touchdowns, including 130-yards rushing on 24brcarries.
Defensively, Jake Fex notched a team-high 13 tackles forbra Carroll defense that had five players record at least 10 takedowns. DragonbrPride Player of the Week Jacob Doddridge added 12 tackles of his own with twobrsacks, while Matt Thompson had 10 and forced the game's lone turnover — anbrinterception of DeSoto quarterback Courtney Douglas.
Douglas helmed a scoring drive on the opening possessionbrfor DeSoto as the Eagles took a 7-0 lead on a 19-yard touchdown run from DaryonbrTriche.
But it would be all Carroll from there as Bowers,brMcDaniel and company feasted on the Eagles defense.
McDaniel drew Carroll even when he hauled in a 37-yardbrscoring pass from Bowers with 1:07 remaining in the first quarter.
Bowers continued to supply the offense in the secondbrquarter. His 5-yard touchdown dive gave Carroll its first lead ofbrthe game and later in the quarter the Dragons went in front by two scores whenbrBowers connected with RJ Mickens for a 34-yard score.
With Carroll in front, 20-7, at the half, the teams wagedbra scoreless third quarter, but the Dragons gained a commanding lead early inbrthe fourth quarter on a 28-yard touchdown run with 6:53 remaining.
With the win, Carroll advances to the regional semifinalsbrand will take on Arlington at 7 p.m. Saturday from The Ford Center at The Star.
Dragon Offensive Leaders:
brRushing: TJ McDaniel 24-130, Will Bowers 16-46.
Passing: Will Bowers 9-13-175-0.
Receiving: TJ McDaniel 4-52, RJ Mickens 2-75, Cade Bellbr2-45, Preston Forney 1-3.
Dragon Defensive Leaders:
Jake Fex: 13 tackles
Jacob Doddridge: 12 tackles, two sacks
Michael Parrish: 12 tackles
Ryan Thompson: 11 tackles
Matt Werner: 10 tackles, one interception
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