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The dominance continues. Southlake Carroll advanced to a 4-1 regular season record and a 3-0 district record after defeating Keller Central 49-20 on Friday. The solid offense kept racking up scores throughout the night while the defense continues to improve — keeping Keller to only 20 points while forcing three turnovers.
The star of the night was senior quarterback Hunter Holden, who started in place of Quinn Ewers who is currently out with an unspecified injury. Holden threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 22 yards. Three of Holden’s touchdowns came in the first quarter, giving Carroll an impressive lead going into the rest of the game.
Sophomore running back Owen Allen has been a consistent force all season and was so again this night, rushing for 157 yards and three touchdowns. And the rest of Carroll’s offense is a force to be reckoned with, even with senior wide receiver Brady Boyd out with a wrist injury.
Junior tight end RJ Maryland had 84 yards receiving including a 67-yard touchdown. Maryland, tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with five, also caught Carroll’s successful two-point conversion in the second quarter. And junior wide receiver Landon Samson continues to prove his talents, with 79 yards receiving and a touchdown.
The Dragon defense also had a successful night, getting better and better with each week. Junior defensive back Max Reyes is our Dragon Pride Player of the Week, sponsored by Thomas & Sharon Michael | DFW Elite Realty, as the defensive star made eight tackles and a 61-yard pick-six.
But Reyes’ pick-six wasn’t the end of Carroll’s defensive dominance. Junior defensive back Avyonne Jones also caught an interception in the first quarter while recording two tackles on the night. And soon after Reyes’ pick-six in the second quarter, junior linebacker Benecio Porras caused a fumble the Dragons would go on to recover — the third turnover on the night.
As the third quarter began, Carroll led Keller Central 35-7, allowing Holden to take the rest of the night off. And sophomore quarterback Kaden Anderson took up the helm in his varsity debut.
Anderson had a pretty successful debut, completing all three of his passes for 39 yards and one touchdown. And while he did record an interception, Anderson increased Carroll’s lead to 49-14 going into the fourth quarter.
Looking ahead, Carroll has a scheduled bye week. So while there won’t be a game this week, the Dragons will have more time to get ready to take on Northwest Eaton on November 20 at Dragon Stadium.
As of now, Eaton currently has a 5-2 overall record and a 3-0 district record, according to MaxPreps.com. If the Eagles win their game against Keller Central on November 13, these teams will be vying to give the other their first district loss.