Ryan Agnew prepares to take to the air in this week's matchup versus Abilene. Photo by Rex Teter Photography
by EJ Holland
Sometimes a bye week can be just what the doctor ordered.
After a grueling early season schedule that featured ToddbrDodge making his return to Dragon Stadium with Austin Westlake, a clash withbrOklahoma power Tulsa Union at Jerry World and a road trip to Midland Lee,brSouthlake Carroll received a much-needed break.
The bye week allowed the Dragons to heal up and continue tobrwork on fundamental issues that have afflicted them through the first few weeksbrof the season.
“We like to think the bye week helps,” said head coach HalbrWasson. “We spent a lot of time on the basics and fundamentals. We need to getbrbetter at understanding how to practice. Now, we're preparing for Abilene.”
Sometimes a bye week can also be detrimental. It can break abrteam's groove and cause them to come out rusty. But Southlake Carroll cannotbrafford a slow start against Abilene, a West Texas power.
The Eagles have already surpassed last year's win count (3)brand are off to a perfect 4-0 start. One of the biggest surprises of the state, Abilenebrfeatures an explosive offense that is averaging 38 points per game.
Abilene runs a one-back spread offense with its primarybrplaymakers being dual-threat quarterback Derek Scott, who has totaled more thanbr1,200 yards of total offense and scored 13 touchdowns, and breakout sophomorebrrunning back Abram Smith, who has rushed for 651 yards and eight touchdowns andbris averaging eight yards per carry.
“It's going to be a tough game,” Wasson said. “They have anbrexceptional running back and a very good quarterback, so they're prettybrbalanced. Our defense is going to have to do a great job of stopping the runbrand making tackles. We also need to recognize multiple formations and, asbrsimple as this sounds, know how to line up.”
It's not all about high-flying offense, Abilene also has abrvery solid defense that is surrendering just 10 points and averaging threebrturnovers. The strength of Abilene's 3-4 defense is up front where seniorsbrMiguel Espinoza, Reagan Cooke and Tom Berry control the line of scrimmage.
That trio could wreck havoc against a Southlake Carrollbroffense that has struggled to protect quarterback Ryan Agnew. Through threebrgames, Agnew is averaging just 184 yards through the air per game, completingbr57 percent of his passes and has thrown as many interceptions as touchdowns.
“Our pass protection is not nearly where it needs to be,”brWasson said. “Our receivers need to do a better job of route running, and webrneed to be accurate. Those are the keys for us.”