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After a tough 35-9 loss to the Duncanville Panthers on Saturday, the Southlake Carroll Dragons’ 2021 season has come to an end. Though it didn’t end with a state championship, the Dragons have a lot to be proud of this season.
All-Star Offense
Southlake Carroll scored a total of 666 points this season — 474 during the regular season and 192 during the playoffs. The outstanding offense is thanks to a standout offensive line and some key players.
Running back Owen Allen was this year’s offensive star. The junior was the team’s top scorer, rushing in 32 touchdowns and catching a touchdown pass for 198 points total. Allen rushed for 2,145 total yards this season, making 2021 his highest in terms of rushing yards. The junior rushed for 1,266 and 2,063 yards during his freshman and sophomore seasons, respectively.
Allen also crossed off a major achievement this season. The junior, now with 5,474 yards, is Southlake Carroll’s new record holder for most career rushing yards, which he achieved during the Dragons’ game against North Crowley. The previous record-holder, Tre Newton rushed for 4,795 yards between 2005-07.
While Allen dominated the ground game, wide receivers RJ Maryland and Landon Samson kept the passing momentum going. Maryland caught 65 passes for 1,171 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, making him the third-highest scorer on the team with 86 points and eight PATs.
Landon Samson is not far behind with 48 passes for 864 yards and 13 touchdowns, putting him right behind Maryland as the fourth-highest scorer on the team while kicker Tyler White was the second-highest scorer, making 119 points on the season.
And quarterbacking the offense in spectacular fashion was Kaden Anderson. The junior stepped up and had a standout season after former quarterback Quinn Ewers graduated early. Anderson completed 60% of his passes, throwing for 3,036 yards and 34 touchdowns while also rushing for seven scores.
Dominant Defense
While the offense was scoring points all season long, the Dragon defense was ensuring opponents couldn’t do the same. With plenty of seniors at the ready, the Dragons kept teams to an average of 304 offensive yards per game and allowed just 218 points all season for an average of 14.5 points per game.
Individually, four players — linebackers Aaron Scherp and Allan Kleiman and defensive backs Logan Anderson and Josh Spaeth — each caught three interceptions this season while defensive back Avyonne Jones led the team with 15 passes knocked down.
In terms of tackles, senior linebacker Benecio Porras led the team with 99 tackles on the season, with linebacker Nate Gall and Anderson following behind with 80 and 79 tackles, respectively. Gall also had the most tackles for losses with 10.
And when it came to sacks, junior defensive lineman Cade Parks made 3.5 sacks this season, slightly ahead of captain Travis Keener’s three sacks.
Overall, the Dragon defense caused 10 fumbles, recovered 13 fumbles and scored four touchdowns this season.
Looking To 2022
With this season finished, all eyes are looking ahead to 2022. During the offseason, Dragon fans can watch Samson play in the 2022 All-American Bowl, vote Dragons into the 2022 Whataburger Super Team and anticipate the all-district awards in the next few weeks.
Players who will graduate and head off to college in May include Maryland, who committed to Boston College, Samson, who committed to South Carolina, and Joey Baker, who committed to Kansas. Porras, Keener, Gall, Kleiman, Spaeth and Jones are also graduating in May.
Meanwhile, Kaden and Logan Anderson, Allen, Scherp and Parks are all set to return for their senior seasons next year. Offensive players ready to step up include wide receiver Jacob Jordan, who caught 45 passes for 470 yards and four touchdowns this season, and James Lehman, who rushed for 376 yards and six touchdowns on the season.
Though this season is now in the rearview mirror, the Dragons can take pride in the fact that they’ve only lost five games in the past four seasons, going 14-1 this season, 12-2 in 2020 and 13-1 in 2019 and 2018.