Earlier this week CISD announced the reduction in travel plans for many of the Dragon's key supporters. Nevertheless, Hal Wasson and hisbrteam will head out of state to kick off the 2017 season schedule traveling north to takebron traditional Oklahoma power Broken Arrow.
While Friday will serve as the opener for the Dragons,brArrow already has a game under its belt after falling to reigning state champbrTulsa Union Saturday in the GEICO ESPN High School Kickoff, 26-15.
Carroll head coach Hal Wasson is anticipating a firmbrchallenge and is excited for not only what he will see on the field, but forbrthe experience of traveling and playing in a tough environment.
“It's going to be a good gauge and we are going to bebrtested,” he said. “No pun intended, but we're going to have to go up there andbrweather the storm. We have to travel five hours, will have a light travelingbrparty and are going into a hostile environment. It will be great to see how webrreact to all of those things.”
On the field, Wasson noted the Dragons will be facing abrteam sound on the ground and in the trenches. “They're a very physical team,”brhe said. “I would say their strength is their running game and we're going tobrsee a lot of power football and sweeps. And they have a very good defensive endbrand are strong up front as well.”
This could play into the Dragon's defensive strength asbrthey return three All District performers within their front seven. Seniorbrdefensive lineman Jacob Doddridge will be a physical presence in stopping thebrrun at 6’-3”, 220 pounds. Matty Werner, the team’s leading returning tacklerbrfrom a year ago (89), will team up with Ryan Thompson to spearhead a formidablebrcorp of linebackers.
The Dragons will enter the game in good health and with abrsolid feel for how the depth chart is shaking out, but Wasson said there is stillbrcompetition in many areas.
“We're seasoned in some spots and are very green inbrothers, but it's been fun to watch them grow up so far,” he said. “It's reallybrone of things that you don't know what you have until you know. Where are we atbrin terms of conditioning and things like that … you won't know till you get outbrthere and play and we'll find out a lot on Friday.”