Rodney Wooters / Woo Doo Photo
Replacing stars on the fly is considered part of the job at Carroll, where players graduate but expectations never do.
In 2025, the Dragons were powered by an elite offense featuring two all-time record-setters in Angelo Renda at quarterback (8,716 passing yards) and Brock Boyd at wide receiver (4,186 receiving yards). Carroll came close to a state title, falling to eventual state champion DeSoto in the semifinals.
When the season ended, much of the conversation centered on what Carroll would have to replace. From the outside, it seemed like an easy storyline: The offense would take a step back. Replacing that much leadership and production would come with some growing pains.
Inside the huddle, players saw things differently. While the graduates commanded the headlines, another wave of talent had been developing behind them, waiting for its opportunity.
The moment arrived much sooner than expected at the historic Cotton Bowl. As Carroll opened the season by erasing a 27-point deficit against Oklahoma power Jenks en route to a thrilling 34-33 victory.
Quarterback Hudson Tomcheck, making his first varsity start, completed nearly 80 percent of his passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns, including the late score that gave the Dragons their first lead of the game late in the fourth quarter. Brody Knowles added 180 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while the offense steadily came to life as Carroll turned what looked like a blowout into one of the most dramatic victories in recent history.
One game is hardly enough to define a new offense, but Carroll’s comeback offered an early glimpse of a unit that can put points on the board — and one playing with something to prove.
"I see a different mentality in this squad going into this year," senior receiver Blake Gunter said. "Last year, we were really well-known across the state, with all of our seniors and our talent. We had a lot of hype. I think this year we're flying a little bit under the radar, and we're going to show a lot of people what we are."
A new face behind center
Every Carroll quarterback inevitably draws comparisons to his predecessor — a reality Tomcheck embraces alongside the weight of the jersey.
"Being the starting quarterback for Carroll comes with enormous responsibility and commitment," Tomcheck said. "I fully understand this and don’t take the opportunity lightly.”
At 6-foot-4, the junior has the size, arm strength and athleticism that have already earned Division I offers from Oklahoma State, TCU and SMU. After playing on JV last year, he’s already soaking up the varsity playbook.
"[This is] a very QB-friendly offense with multiple options built into every play," Tomcheck said. "You can see why so many QBs before me have had so much success. Obviously, there’s a lot to learn and digest from the playbook, but I’m confident I’ll continue to gain confidence week to week."
Tomcheck helped lead an offense that piled up 419 total yards, including 387 through the air. Knowles and tight end Easton Nied caught touchdown passes, and seven different players saw carries.
As evident at the Cotton Bowl, the goal is for Tomcheck not to have to carry the offense alone, said first-year head coach Lee Munn.
"We have a pretty good idea of what we have on offense," Munn said. "We have a lot of guys that have already played a lot of football for us in past years. We’re going to be really talented.”
Munn also pointed to the depth throughout the roster.
"We aren't scared to throw young guys into the fold," he said. "There's a lot of young talent. We have a handful of seniors, juniors, and sophomores. We don't really reload around here."
Munn, who has built his reputation on stingy defenses knows full well he has plenty of options on offense.
Running back Brooks Biggers showed last season he can deliver when called upon. Filling in while Davis Penn battled injuries, he rushed for 336 yards and 13 touchdowns on 68 carries. At 5-foot-11 and 192 pounds, the senior combines downhill running with enough speed to create explosive plays.
The Dragons may have lost Boyd, but they certainly didn't lose production at receiver.
Gunter emerged as one of Texas' most overlooked weapons last fall, recording 1,224 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Now the No. 1 receiver and a Cal commit, he has the tools to become one of Class 6A's biggest stars. He opened the season with three catches for 55 yards.
Across from him stands another matchup nightmare. Knowles, a 6-foot-6 Illinois commit, combines unusual size with athleticism and a massive catch radius. In Carroll's opener, he turned that physical advantage into a monster performance, averaging 25.7 yards per reception.
Then comes perhaps the most intriguing addition.
Dez Bryant Jr., a transfer from Colleyville Heritage, carries one of the most recognizable names in football. The son of former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant, the junior has already generated recruiting interest from Baylor, TCU, Houston, and Illinois. His last name naturally draws attention, but Munn believes Bryant Jr. (five catches, 42 yards against Jenks) can build his own reputation as another explosive weapon in an already loaded passing attack.
With that much talent, defenses face difficult choices. Double one receiver and another favorable matchup appears.
The foundation up front
Of course, all of the talent in the world can’t hold up without an imposing offensive line. This year’s group may be the program's most physically imposing in recent memory.
Luke Wilson has developed into one of the nation's premier prospects after earning varsity starts as a sophomore. Now committed to Oklahoma, the 6-foot-6, 290-pound senior anchors the unit at left tackle with experience, athleticism and leadership.
Fellow senior Tristan Dare, shifts to center after playing guard last season. The highly touted Missouri commit brings versatility and football intelligence to one of the offense's most important positions.
Junior Ty McCurry may possess the highest ceiling of the group. At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, he already holds more than 30 Division I scholarship offers and national recognition as a Sports Illustrated All-American.
Will Barley and Clayton Johnson round out a line that averages 291 pounds across the board. Barley returns for his second season as a varsity starter, while Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound junior, played significant varsity snaps as a sophomore.
Ask Dare about the Carroll offense, and he’ll say the line provides the foundation for everything else.
"One of the biggest things is we've played together a lot on the offensive line," Dare said. "Our chemistry is going to be really valuable. And if we can do our job well, that lets the skill guys do what they do."
Hungry for their moment
This offense doesn't view itself as a rebuilding group. It sees a roster filled with players who waited patiently behind one of the most talented senior classes in program history.
The early results suggest the next wave is ready.
There is still plenty to prove over a long season. But the early evidence points toward an offense that may look different from last year's group without being any less dangerous.
“We just need to continue to gel as a new team," Tomcheck said. "Like any season, you have new players with different strengths and weaknesses that contribute uniquely to our production. I’m confident we’ll have a dynamic team this season."
"We got one percent better every day this offseason," Knowles added. "We have an underdog mentality. We have a chip on our shoulders and we're all going to bring something this year."