by Justin Thomas
ThebrDragons are looking to send of their seniors with style this Friday as theybrwelcome a Hurst L.D. Bell squad that is still seeking its first win in Districtbr5-6A competition.
Carrollbrcomes in with a 4-1 mark in district, tied for second with a Hebron, while Bellbris 0-5 (1-7 overall) with its closest contest in district a 49-30 defeat lastbrFriday against a Lewisville team that was also winless at the time.
WhilebrBell will certainly present challenges, Carroll head coach Hal Wasson noted thebrteam spent much of the week focused on itself.
Comingbroff last week's Thursday night victory the Dragons should be well-rested andbrready to play what will be the team's last home game of the season.
“Webrknow Bell is a talented team with some good athletes that are hungry for abrwin,” Wasson said. “We've really just focused on ourselves and becoming abrbetter football team. It's been the same ole, same ole over here this week.”
Carrollbrwill take on a different look offensively for the near future as TJ McDaniel —brwho ranks third in the area in 6A in rushing (1,332 yards, 16 touchdowns) —brwill miss at least one game with a hand injury.
Inbrhis absence, expect Tavian Gould to take on a larger role.
“TJbrhas accounted for about 70 percent of our offense so far,” Wasson said. “We'rebrgoing to need a combination of Tavian, our quarterback and some other guys inbrthe mix to step up to fill that production.”
Forbrthe year, Gould who has been more of a blocking back, has averaged a healthy 6.5bryards per carry when called upon to run. And on quarterback keepers, Will Bowersbrhas rushed for 525 yards (7.1 per carry) and six touchdowns.
Onbrthe other side of the ball, Carroll will be facing a Bell defense that hasbrsurrendered 43 points and nearly 400 yards per game, including surrendering atbrleast 40 points in their last four district losses.
Offensively,brthe Blue Raiders are producing 19 points per outing with an average of justbrunder 300 yards per game.
AustinbrBrougham started at quarterback for Bell, but Mason Ornelas has since takenbrover completing 41-of-81 passes for 445yards and three touchdowns against onebrinterception.
Atbrrunning back, Zion Hardy has gained 671 yards with six touchdowns to with 289brreceiving yards and two scores, while Markel Burnett (29 receptions, 291 yards,brone touchdown) has been Bell's top receiver.
Abrwin tonight would not only send off the seniors in style it would propel thebrDragons into its 18th-consecutive playoff berth.