
by Justin Thomas
Friday will serve as the home debut for first-year Southlake Carroll head coach Riley Dodge, but it ironically won't be the first time playing at Dragon Stadium for Carroll's opponent.
Colleyville Heritage will take things in from a visitor's perspective this go-around after opening their season in Southlake as the home team against North Forney due to delays in renovations to Mustang-Panther Stadium in Grapevine.
Alex Kingston celebrates in the end zone after intercepting a Warrior pass early in the third quarter of a 25-8 victory over the South Grand Prairie Warriors. Photo by Kent Crawford Photography.
Like Carroll's 25-8 victory over South Grand Prairie last week, the Panthers got out to a 1-0 start thanks in large part to a dominant defensive effort.
Colleyville shut out a highly regarded Falcons' squad, 16-0, and allowed just 189 total yards while forcing a pair of turnovers and recording a safety to open the scoring early in the second quarter.
The Panthers are led by a standout secondary that includes prized wide receiver recruit Kam Brown, varsity returnees Bruce Cobb and Trey Flint, and Carroll transfer and all-district performer Jake Fex.
Linebacker Cooper Roe, meanwhile, posted 72 tackles last season.
Offensively, the Panthers were primed for a big season behind Oklahoma commit and standout quarterback Drew Sanders, but they were left looking elsewhere following a transfer to Denton Ryan this summer.
Enter Collin Losack, who completed 4-of-9 passes for 91 yards with no touchdowns and an interception against North Forney, but that Dodge noted is plenty capable.
Heritage's lone touchdown pass of the game actually came from Flint, who also had eight rushing yards and a touchdown.
Of course, the throw went the way of Brown, a four-star recruit committed to Texas A&M. Last year, all he did was haul in 79 receptions for 1,190 yards and a team-high 20 touchdowns.
On Friday, Brown had three receptions for 104 yards and the aforementioned touchdown via Flint.
On the ground, Alex Parker led the way with 13 carries for 49 yards for a Heritage team that had six rushers with at least four carries and that mounted 223 total yards with two turnovers.