by Justin Thomas
The Dragons face a critical opponent in terms of thebrDistrict 5-6A playoff chase Friday when Marcus comes to town.
Both squads enter the battle with 2-1 marks in districtbr(tied for third behind Hebron and Trinity) with the winner taking over firmbrcontrol on third-place positioning as the 5-6A schedule passes the midpoint.
The Dragons come in feeling good after topping Lewisville, 51-0, while Marcus came up short at home against Hebron, 33-10.
“[The win over Lewisville] was probably our most completebrgame of the season,” said Hal Wasson, Carroll head coach. “It was a good nightbrfor us in all three areas and is something we're looking to build on. It wasbrgreat to see, especially because there is always some concern coming back frombran emotional and tough loss like Trinity was.”
A year ago, Marcus gave Carroll all it could handle,brfalling, 33-21, in a game it led late in the third quarter.
Junior running back Justin Dinka got the best of thebrDragons' defense, rushing for 189 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns,brincluding an 81-yard burst that gave the Marauders the aforementionedbrthird-quarter advantage.
This season, Dinka is up to the same tricks, rankingbramong the leaders in the area with 951 rushing yards (7.2 per carry) and 12brtouchdowns.
“I don't think there's any doubt about it, he's the bestbrback we will have seen,” Wasson said. “He's big, strong and fast and has greatbrvision. We're going to have our hands full.”
Last week, however, Hebron's defense stymied Dinka andbrthe Marcus ground game to the tune of just 31 yards on 15 carries.
“I'm not really sure why it happened, but they justbrdidn't give him the ball as much in the second half,” Wasson said. “That willbrhamper anyone's rushing output, and we're certainly expecting that to changebrthis week.”
Under center, Marcus has rotated both Xavier Maxwell andbrRasheed Noel.
Wasson noted the Marauders appear to be going to the hotbrhand, and who takes the snaps has often been determined by the flow of thebrgame.
Thus far, Noel has completed 30-of-51 passes for 348bryards and a touchdown with no interceptions, while Maxwell is 30-of-43 for 208bryards and score with two picks.
Blake Covin has been the top receiver for Marcus (20brreceptions, 203 yards) and has also shown to be a weapon in the return game.
Speaking of special teams, the Marauders boast one of thebrarea's top kickers in John Mayers.
Defensively, Marcus' strength resides in the front seven,brincluding standout linebacker Marcel Brooks — who recently picked up an offerbrfrom Alabama.
“I think that says about all you need to know about whatbr(Brooks) can do,” Wasson said. “They are not short on talent and our offensivebrline is going to have to have a good night if we're going to be successful.”
On the year, Marcus is allowing just 19 points per gamebrdespite facing a challenging non-district slate and having already seenbrhigh-powered Hebron.
Among the marquee wins for the Marauders are victories onbrthe road against Arlington Bowie (21-16) and Mansfield (31-14) as well as a winsbrover rival Lewisville (18-7) and Hurst L.D. Bell (29-7).
Losses have come to Arlington (37-14) and the Hawks.
“The win over Mansfield was particularly impressive,”brWasson said. “It's going to be a tough game and it is a very big game for us.”