Matt's Photography/SouthlakeSportsPics.com
For the first time since 2011, the Dragon Football competed at state. With a matchup between a father and son and two talented teams fighting for the win, the Southlake community rallied around its student athletes. And even though the Dragons lost, we’re so proud of all their hard work and dedication this season.
Southlake’s Support Through The Season
Even before the playoffs started and the Dragons made their way to the championship game, the city was excited for the season. A delayed start and fears of a canceled game looming each week due to the pandemic made each game one to cherish.
“It’s just so, so difficult in a normal year to accomplish this,” Bill Webb, president of the Carroll Athletic Booster Club says. “But to do it amidst COVID with so few returning starters from last...then Coach Dodge has to miss the semi-finals because of COVID. It really is an amazing story.”
Each game saw Dragon fans donned in their spirit wear, cheering on the athletes. If a fan couldn’t make it to the game, they had the option to watch from the comfort of their couch. Due to the pandemic, the University Interscholastic League gave permission to schools to livestream games for the 2020-2021 season.
“The live streaming went very well,” Bill says. “And the feedback was super positive not only for football but all our sports.”
Each week, an average of 7,500 people tuned into the livestream of the game, with the highest numbers of viewers — 10,700 — tuning into the game against Rockwall. And if UIL rules did not prevent the CABC from livestreaming during the last three games of the season, Bill says he’s sure those numbers would have risen.
“Based on the feedback and the numbers, [live streaming] was a total success,” Bill says.
The Dragon Green Out
Once the Dragons defeated Duncanville and officially earned a spot in the championship game, the city brainstormed how they could support the team. It wasn’t long before the idea of a “Green Out” became a reality.
“Carroll Athletic Booster Club worked with Mayor Hill to develop it,” Bill says. “She wanted to know what she could do to support the Dragons, we suggested this idea, and she took it and ran with it.”
The fountains in front of city hall turned green while trees all over Southlake Town Square were tied with green ribbons. People from all over the city donned their home in green decor and everyone wore their Dragon spirit gear.
“Friday night, after basketball and baseball was finished, I drove to Southlake Town Square, and the stores were all closed and it was very quiet,” Bill says. “But the green was everywhere and I stood out and just thought how great it is to be in what is really a small town with all the luxuries of a big city. We are very fortunate to maintain the one-high-school, community feel.”