As if history, tradition and the return of Riley Dodge as head coach weren’t enough to perpetuate the lofty expectations for Dragon football, this year’s team returns 11 starters from last year’s successful 10-4 regional finalist campaign.
Defensive Captains RJ Mickens and Michael Parrish combined for 192 tackles in 2017.
Defensive Captains RJ Mickens and Michael Parrish combined for 192 tackles in 2017.
With the large group of returning starters also comes a talented pool of candidates from which to select the team's six captains. Five seniors and one junior were honored with the designation prior to this week's season opener against South Grand Prairie.
Each player is coming off an All-District season with five first-team selections and one second-teamer in right guard, Cameron Hataway.
With so much success on the offensive side, this year's captains include five players from a lineup that is expected to have a serious scoring punch. Quarterback Will Bowers, running back TJ McDaniel, right tackle Henry Mossberg and the aforementioned Hattaway have the tools to lead this year's team well into the playoffs.
The fifth offensive player is two-way athlete RJ Mickens. Primarily known as a four-star defensive back, the junior lead the Dragons with nine receiving touchdowns last season.
Mickens, also the team's leading returning tackler with 99 tackles, will be joined as a defensive captain by linebacker Michael Parrish. Parrish, impressive in his own right, logged 93 tackles and five sacks a year ago.
“They play physical and smart,” Dodge says of this year's leadership, “I'm excited to see what this season brings for this group.”
Tall Order: The Dragon Offensive Line is stacked with talent. Captains Henry Mossberg (76) and Cameron Hataway (65) bookend Andrej Karic (68).
Tall Order: The Dragon Offensive Line is stacked with talent. Captains Henry Mossberg (76) and Cameron Hataway (65) bookend Andrej Karic (68).
2018 Southlake Carroll Dragon Captains
QB Will Bowers, Sr: 2,519 yards passing, 30 TD
RB TJ McDaniel, Sr: 1,862 yards rushing, 23 TD
RT Henry Mossberg, Sr: 1st Team All-District
RG Cameron Hataway, SR: 2nd Team All-District
DB/WR RJ Mickens, Jr: 99 tackles, 9 TDs
LB Michael Parrish, Sr: 93 tackles, 5 sacks