by Justin Thomas
The Riley Dodge era at Southlake Carroll officially kicks off tonight when the Dragons travel to the Gopher-Warrior Bowl to open their 2018 campaign against South Grand Prairie.
With the return of 11 starters, Dragon faithfuls are not alone in having high expectations for this year's team. The Dragons are the lone team in the newly realigned 5-6A district to appear in the preseason Texas high school football Associated Press media poll (No. 10) and are one of only three Metroplex teams to be ranked alongside reigning champ Allen (No. 1) and Duncanville (No. 9).
Regardless of what the polls may say, Dodge feels his team has prepared well and is ready to go.
“We stress mental toughness, especially during the summer,” Dodge says. “That's the key. We know it's hot. You can't get around it. We live in Texas. But you have to be mentally and physically tough and so far, the energy has been unbelievable.”
The Dragons' pent up energy will be displaced against the South Grand Prairie. The Warriors who are coming off a 10-2 season and a berth in the area round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated following a spirited fight against eventual state champion Allen, 28-14. Head coach Brent Whitson and South Grand Prairie return nine starters from that squad, including four offensive and five defensive players as they seek a fifth consecutive playoff berth.
In 2017, the Warriors were a team that hung their hats on defense. Despite competing in a powerhouse district that featured the likes of heavyweights DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Duncanville and a non-district slate that included tilts against Arlington and Arlington Martin, South Grand Prairie allowed just 16 points per game during the regular season.
The group should be strong again, headlined by linebackers Taylor Jacobs, who had 97 tackles and six sacks a year ago, and Myles Jernigan, who holds several D1 offers by the likes of Cal and Oklahoma State.
The Warriors boast plenty of speed in the secondary as well with seniors Ken Robinson (cornerback) and Craig Woodson (safety) — a pair of two-star prospects committed to Texas-San Antonio.
While the Warriors were sound defensively in 2017, an offense that produced 23 points per game should only improve this season thanks to a talented set of skill players with another year of experience under their belts.
Versatile athlete Keodrick Young posted 678 total yards and eight touchdowns a year ago and was South Grand Prairie's second-leading rusher behind departed quarterback Nakia Brown. Woodson will also see time in the backfield with support from up-and-coming sophomores Javarius Crawford and Marsel McDuffie.
Wide receivers Deamikkio Nathan, Titus Jackson and Lorenzo Rummans II saw minimal receiving opportunities a year ago, but are plenty talented and primed for much larger roles in the Warriors attack. That should ease the burden on first-year starting quarterback Drake Logan, who will be working behind a revamped offensive line that features Jayden Breedlove and LaMarcus Johnson.
Add it all up, and Dodge and the Dragons will have a tough test to open the season, but one that will go a long way in preparing Carroll for the upcoming District 5-6A slate.