Snapped Dragons/S.Johnson, Adobe
The 2023 Southlake Carroll Dragon football team hosts considerable talent by the likes of Graham Knowles, Jacob Jordan, Clayton Wayland, Zac Scarborough, Jack VanDorselaer and Aaron Scherp amongst many others.
Riley Dodge knows a thing or two about making your way through a talented roster. The former national player of the year was behind some major quarterback talent in eventual Heisman contender Chase Daniel and BCS Champion Greg McElroy before he claimed a full-time roster spot under center for the Dragons in 2006.
In the past, Southlake’s rosters have had their share of college standouts and NFL’ers like Daniel and McElroy. However, many would argue the 2023 roster has as much or more talent than ever. With many young up-and-comers making names for themselves in the offseason, several have notched more D1 scholarship offers than they have starts.
Chock-full of experience, sheer talent and notoriety, Riley Dodge is heading into his sixth season with a lot of talent as he vies to win his second state championship — and first as a head coach.
Let’s look at this year’s roster as we head into the new season, which starts on August 25th:
Offense
QB Graham Knowles
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound, four-star recruit is listed as the 18th-ranked pocket passer in the country according to ESPN. The Georgia Tech commit returns under center after posting 1,851 yards passing and 18 TDs after taking the reins mid-season as a junior.
WR Jacob Jordan
The leading returning 6A receiver in DFW, Jordan returns to action after compiling 1,225 yards and 16 TDs as a junior. The experienced and sure-handed 5-foot-9 receiver caught a team-leading 67 passes last year and will again be getting plenty of looks from Knowles and opposing defenses this season. He announced his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners in July.
WR Brock Boyd
The younger brother of former standout receiver (and ESPN Top 10 famous) Brady Boyd, Brock caught two passes as a freshman last season. After much work in the offseason, the 6-foot-2, 170-pound wide-out has impressed at several summer camps. Boyd’s speed and skills have already caught the attention of major programs including Nebraska, Oklahoma and TCU. Expect the rising sophomore to be another major offensive weapon for the Dragons this fall.
WR Clayton Wayland
Southlake Carroll has the luxury of bringing back their top receivers, and that’s scary for the opposition. Clayton Wayland returns from an All-District junior season where he caught 39 passes for 657 yards and five scores. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, the Stephen F. Austin commit has the size to give defenses fits and the proven talent to keep teams honest in their coverages.
TE Jack VanDorselaer
Jack VanDorselaer caught just four balls his sophomore season, but don’t let those numbers fool you. Pay closer attention to his ultra-athletic 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame, and you’ll see why “JVD” already holds more than 20 D1 offers and is considered by many to be the top tight end in the state. Alabama head coach Nick Saban is high on him, as is Coach Dodge, who has plans for the junior to take the role full-time after splitting snaps a year ago.
OL Harrison Moore
Last year’s primary tight end, Moore split time on his way to his second First Team All-District season. With the ascendance of JVD, the versatile senior has packed on some more size as he moves to the offensive line for his senior season. The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder held over 20 offers himself and has chosen to take his 4.0 GPA to play at Vanderbilt, turning down notable offers from Stanford, Missouri and most every Ivy League School.
OL Andrew Cunningham
Starting every game since the beginning of his sophomore season, Cunningham brings a wealth of experience to the trenches. The consistent All-District lineman stands tall at 6-foot-3, 285-pounds and has already accepted an offer to play Charlotte at the next level.
Defense/ST
DE Dustan Mark
The reigning District Defensive Player of the Year returns for his senior season after compiling 85 tackles and a team-leading 13.5 sacks last season. At 6-foot-3, 235-pounds, Mark also has good speed, having set a 4.7-second 40-yard dash. His leadership and nose for the ball will be the heart of the defensive front this season.
S Aaron Scherp
If Dustan Mark is the heart of the defense, then senior safety Aaron Scherp is the soul. The former District Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore and team-leading tackler (98) a year ago returns to spearhead the defense from above. Also the vice president of the class of 2024, he has chosen to take his game and smarts to Davidson College.
CB Carter High
High was tested often, and he rose to the occasion with 56 tackles and two interceptions on his way to an All-District season as a junior. As the team’s leading tackler from the secondary, High’s experience will be vital as a new group of defensive backs emerges to fill the void after Logan Anderson and Logan Lewandowski graduated.
DT Zach Scarborough
Scarborough impressed during his first full season of varsity ball, posting 60 tackles and two sacks on his way to First Team All-District status. Weighing in at an expanded 245 pounds, he returns to a hefty defensive line that will wreak havoc well into the postseason.
DE Wyatt Duffy
Duffy returns as the No. 2 sack man after having notched four of them and 18 pressures as a junior. At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, he’s tough as nails and has the speed to pursue in the backfield.
K Kyle Lemmermann
Sometimes at Carroll, you have to wait a little longer for your time to come. But when it does, you have to be ready like Kyle Lemmermann. With limited action behind star kicker and Texas A&M commit Tyler White, Lemmermann completed all six of his PAT attempts last year. After an impressive list of summer showcases, the 6-foot-2 TCU commit has emerged as one of the top-ranked kickers in the country.