1 of 5
SnappedDragons/S.Johnson
Blake Gunter heads to the endzone for one of his four touchdown receptions in the Dragons 57-44 loss to Desoto at Mansfield ISD Stadium. December 12, 2025.
2 of 5
SnappedDragons/S.Johnson
Blake Gunter celebrates his fourth touchdown reception in the endzone. The Dragons fell 57-44 to Desoto at Mansfield ISD Stadium. December 12, 2025.
3 of 5
SnappedDragons/S.Johnson
Head Coach Riley Dodge addresses his team after the Dragons 57-44 loss to Desoto at Mansfield ISD Stadium. December 12, 2025.
4 of 5
SnappedDragons/S.Johnson
5 of 5
SnappedDragons/S.Johnson
Addison Penn sprints downfield against the Desoto Eagles. He rushed for 202 yards and 1 TD in the Dragons 57-44 loss to the Eagles at Mansfield ISD Stadium.
Carroll Dragon football capped its outstanding season with a hard-fought 57-44 loss to the DeSoto Eagles in the Class 6A Division II state semifinal at Vernon Newsom Stadium on Saturday. Though the Dragons came up just short, Carroll demonstrated heart, explosive playmaking and elite offensive production throughout the game.
Led by a slew of collegiate signees, including Angelo Renda, Brock Boyd and Gavin Strange, the Dragons once again showcased a high-powered offense that piled up 544 total yards and 6 touchdowns against an imposing Eagles defense.
Blake Gunter Shines in Big Moment
Even on a night when running back Davis Penn rushed for 202 yards on just 12 carries (16.8 yds/car) it was junior wide receiver Blake Gunter who provided the scoring punch for the Carroll offense, hauling in seven receptions for 111 yards and four touchdowns. His consistent ability to make explosive plays lifted the Dragons to a 27-14 halftime lead.
DeSoto’s Ethan Feaster, the top wide receiver recruit in north Texas and a USC commit, capitalized on his athleticism as he and the Eagles defense keyed-in on Boyd, keeping him out of the end zone with six receptions for 91 yards.
The Eagles strategy paid off as Angelo Renda was not his normally efficient self, completing just 19 of 39 passes for a season low 49 percent. Although throwing for 282 yards and five touchdowns, Renda effectively spread the ball while rushing for 55 yards and keeping the Dragons competitive until his late game scramble ended at the Eagles 1-yard line.
DeSoto's Comeback Powered By Baker
The Eagles, who ultimately advanced to the state championship, unleashed a remarkable second half to erase what was a 16-point Carroll lead in the third quarter. Backed by a historic 366-yards rushing and three touchdowns from standout junior running back SaRod Baker — including a 99-yard rushing score to seal the victory on the game’s final play — the Eagles topped the Dragons with 758 total yards of offense on what will go down as one of the more memorable matchups of an amazing season.
While the semifinal exit was heartbreaking, the Dragons 14-1 2025 campaign included head coach Riley Dodge’s 100th career victory and multiple weeks atop the Max Preps national rankings as two major highlights, with plenty of postseason accolades to come.