With only a few days away from the big game, both Todd and Riley Dodge are preparing themselves and their teams for what is likely to be one of the most exciting high school football games of the season.
Beyond their father-son relationship, both head coaches are leading teams that upset their opponent the week before. Austin Westlake defeated defending state champions Galena North Shore 24-21, and the Carroll Dragons defeated football powerhouse Duncanville 34-27.
The Dodges On The Dodge Bowl
One thing that makes this state championship game different than the rest is the father-son matchup set to take place. Todd Dodge is the head coach of Austin Westlake and his son is Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge.
“It’s been crazy...I never believed that this would ever happen.,” Todd Dodge says on “The Ticket” 96.7 radio show. “There’s so many things that would have to happen, so many obstacles in the way — not only with opponents but COVID. And the one thing I’m proud of both of our teams is we absolutely have earned our way to this matchup.”
Riley told “The Ticket” that planning for the game was definitely different and expanded on how well each of the teams knows each other.
“[Lee Munn] was a longtime assistant at Westlake and Marble Falls. My dad’s offensive coordinator [Kirk Rodgers] is like an older brother to me,” Riley says. “His offensive line coach was a stud offensive lineman at Southlake Carroll. There’s just so much friendship on both sides, not just father-son.”
During his Zoom press conference on Thursday morning, Riley said it’s unbelievable the fact that he will be playing his father.
“6A Division 1 in the state of Texas has [got to] be the toughest road in the entire country when it comes to high school football,” Riley says. “To say you’re the final two in the state of Texas and the guy you’re going to compete against is your father, it’s pretty unbelievable and I think it’s a testament to both of our programs, to our kids and our coaches.”
While the coaches go head to head on Saturday, there’s one person who will be happy no matter the outcome: Todd’s wife and Riley’s mom, Elizabeth.
“It is very special for Elizabeth,” Todd says. “I feel fortunate that in all the state championships I’ve been involved in, this is the least busy I’ve been because she’s taken it off my plate because everyone wants to talk to the mother about what her deal’s gonna be.”
And when at the game, Elizabeth plans to honor both her family members.
“I know she’s got plans to wear a little bit of Westlake, and she’s got plans to wear a little bit of Southlake to honor Riley,” Todd says.
Riley On Quinn Ewers
Southlake Carroll’s junior quarterback Quinn Ewers will be starting against Austin Westlake on Saturday. And though he was out for most of the season with an injury, Ewers has come back strong. Against Euless Trinity, Ewers had a career record setting game, throwing 37 completions for 450 yards and six touchdowns.
In a Zoom press conference on Thursday morning, Riley says he’s not worried about Quinn, citing his performance in the playoff games from weeks past.
“He’s a competitor,” Riley says. “He’s got his feet underneath him.”
Riley says that Quinn is, “such a tough kid — physically and mentally.”
“The kid had surgery and not a lot of people knew what we were doing behind the scenes and what he was doing when no one else was watching, trying to battle to get back,” Riley says. “[I’m] super proud of the way he handled the last three weeks, and it’s obviously really nice to have him back.”
And before Quinn takes to the field, Riley already knows the advice he’s going to give the young quarterback.
“Do what you’ve done this entire season, your entire career,” Riley says. “Go manage the offense and be a playmaker and give the ball to our playmakers. Take care of the football.”
Riley On Southlake Carroll’s Strategy
One of the biggest challenges the Dragons will face is the Austin Westlake defense, which kept Galena North Shore to only 21 points when they had scored more than 35 points against their last 12 opponents, according to MaxPreps.com.
“Obviously defensively they’re very, very talented,” Riley said. “They’ve had an unbelievable year. They have a bunch of veterans on their defense.”
Riley says he’s excited about the challenge the Austin Westlake defense poses.
“I’m excited to watch our kids go against them,” Riley says.
When it comes to scoring against the defense, Riley says they are planning to utilize both the talents of their wide receivers and running back Owen Allen.
“To win a championship, you gotta be balanced,” Riley says. “We’re gonna try to be pretty sound and throw the ball and let Owen Allen do what he does.”
Riley also says the two teams are very similar offensively.
“The passing game is fairly similar,” Riley says. “I would say offensively, we have very similar ideals.”
Riley On Coaching A State Championship Game
While this is Riley’s third year as head coach for the Carroll Dragons, it will be his first coaching in a state championship game.
“It’s a dream come true to coach a state championship game. It’s something I’ve wanted to do my entire life,” Riley says. “As a high school coach’s kid, I’ve grown up in field houses all over the state of Texas. So this is obviously very surreal for me to get to this point, but it makes it extra special that I’m [at] Southlake Carroll.”
When Riley realized he would be coaching a state championship game, he was at home quarantining after contracting COVID-19.
“I was a nutcase,” Riley says. “I was having a tough time at the house watching the game. I was really just dialed into the Carroll-Duncanville game.”
Riley says he didn’t realize Westlake had won until right before Carroll won their game.
“I didn’t wrap my mind around playing Westlake until it went all zeros against Duncanville just because of how tough Duncanville was,” Riley says. “I wanted to make sure before I started celebrating that we won that football game.”
After Carroll won the football game, one of the coaches Facetimed Riley so he could be a part of the celebration with the team, albeit virtually.
“I wanted to celebrate with them virtually and I just wanted to see the kids,” Riley says. “We had one of our coaches hold up the phone and all the kids were right behind him. They were going nuts and me and Quinn got to FaceTime on the field and me and him went nuts.”
Tickets for the Southlake Carroll game against Austin Westlake are currently sold out, and the game is set to be aired on Fox Sports Southwest.