Looking to bring back the fire of 2012, the defense returns five familiar faces this season.
From Dragon Pride 2013- all photography courtesy of Rex Teter Photography.
The Dragon defense was indeed stout during the 2012 season,brallowing a meager 11.3 points per game. Defensive coordinator Tim Wasson did abrbang-up job calling the shots for a defensive unit that is on the field morebrthan off — thanks to the team's quick scoring offense. Looking to bring backbrthe fire, the defensive side returns five familiar faces. Carroll will bebrbuilding upon a year that was statistically one of the best in recent history,bramassing a total of 35 sacks and 18 interceptions in 2012. This revamped andbrreloaded unit prides itself on its speed and ability to force turnovers. Withbrfour of the team's front seven returning and three new starters transitioningbrinto the backfield, the defensive secondary's job should be even easier.
It's no secret the game of footballbris won and lost in the trenches. This year's defensive line is a strong unitbrcomprised of stellar athletes. First Team All-District nose guard Nash Dickeybrreturns, along with District 4-5A Defensive Newcomer of the Year King Newtonbrand Second Team All-District member A.J. Tolbert. These experienced achieversbrwill form a solid front that will put immense pressure on opposing quarterbacks.brThe trio, which combined for 140 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 2012, possessesbrplenty of experience as run stoppers and pass rushers in the Dragons' 3-4 defensivebrscheme. As the season progresses, the Dragons also expect new names to step up andbrprovide an extra punch in the defensive line. Keep an eye out for senior LandonbrHoward to add even more depth to an already deep and talented unit.
Adding to the defensive front-line,brthe Dragons also bring back an experienced group of linebackers providing morebrleadership and playmaking ability sure to wreak havoc in 2013. Two seasons ago,brSteven Bergemark was a punishing running back. Now the senior captain,brlinebacker Bergmark finished 2012 with a team-leading 134 tackles. Speedybroutside linebacker and New Mexico State commit J.B. Copeland followed him with 87brtackles in 2012. With the losses of Dragon sack leader Tim Barnhardt and SMUbrlinebacker Jackson Mitchell, younger players will need to step up. Look forbrjunior linebacker Joel McClellan, younger brother of former Dragon linebackerbrJeremy McClellan, to fill in at the outside linebacker position oppositebrCopeland. Senior Matt Miller steps up from the rotation to take over one of thebrmiddle linebacking spots.
Although they are the mostbrinexperienced group of the Dragon defense, the Southlake Carroll defensivebrbackfield brings plenty of athleticism, welcoming three new starters alongsidebrsenior captain Adaryon Jones. Jones, who led the team in pass breakups lastbrseason with 21, will provide veteran leadership for a young group that alsobrfeatures junior cornerback Andy Chelf. Junior Tariq Gordon, the younger brotherbrof former Dragon safety Jalil Gordon, and senior Brett Lepicier take the fieldbras the two safeties. Although the losses of Tulsa cornerback Ray Crockett, AaronbrHoagland and District 4-5A Defensive Player of the Year Tanner Jacobson will bebrtough on Southlake's secondary, the new cast of characters plan to pick upbrwhere they left off.
“Replacing three out of four DBs isbrnever easy, especially ones like Jacobson and Crockett— yes, we arebrinexperienced,” says safety Tariq Gordon. “But we have all the physical toolsbrto be great. If we trust our coaches and get a bit more mentally tough, we'llbrhave a great season.” With confidence like this on display, this year's defensebrwill continue to protect the tradition.
The Defense
#40brLinebacker
StevenbrBergmark
Senior
StevenbrBergmark returns this year as the defense's best playmaker. As a First TeambrAll-District junior, he finished with 131 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one interception,brfive forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown. In last year's playoff winbragainst Trinity, Bergmark provided a defensive touchdown, an interception, abrfumble recovery and a blocked field goal.
#41brLinebacker
J.B.brCopeland
Senior
StandoutbrJ.B. Copeland returns for his senior season now committed to New Mexico StatebrUniversity. He adds sub-4.5-second speed to a 6'2”, 200-pound frame, making himbrone of the more versatile athletes on the Dragons. A First Team All-Districtbrselection, Copeland finished last year's season with 72 tackles, 3.5 sacks, twobrinterceptions and a touchdown.
#17brLinebacker
JoelbrMcClellan
Junior
Afterbrserving last season as a reserve, Joel McClellan saw his first game action inbrthis season's opener and quickly made an impact, returning a 74-yardbrinterception for a touchdown during Carroll's meeting against Allen. Thebrathletic junior started the year off hot and will continue to perform as thebrseason progresses.
#45brLinebacker
MattbrMiller
Senior
Seeingbraction in six games last season, Matt Miller returns from his junior campaignbrin which he recorded 31 tackles. A physical force in the Dragons' front seven,brMiller recorded five tackles and a sack in this year's home opener againstbrAllen.
#91brDefensive End
KingbrNewton
Junior
Youngerbrbrother of former Carroll running back Tre Newton and son of former Cowboybrgreat Nate Newton, King burst onto the scene last year as a sophomore, earning thebrhonor of District 4-5A defensive newcomer of the year. The 6'2”, 250-poundbrdefensive tackle made a name for himself across the state as he accumulated 55brtackles, a sack and two forced fumbles.
NosebrTackle
#99brNash Dickey
Senior
Abrdefensive captain, the 6'0,” 250-pound Nash Dickey makes an impact for thebrDragons' defensive front in a variety of ways. Accumulating 50 tackles, a sack,brsix QB pressures and a fumble recovery as a junior, Dickey proved to be a keybrcomponent in Southlake's run-stopping defense and was unanimously selected tobrbe a First Team All-District performer.
DefensivebrEnd
#90brA.J. Tolbert
Senior
Sonbrof former Cowboy defensive end Tony Tolbert, A.J. burst onto the scene lastbryear as a quarterback terrorizer and key run stuffer for the Dragon defensivebrfront. Rotating on last year's defensive line, Tolbert finished his juniorbrcampaign with 37 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble while receiving SecondbrTeam All-District honors.
Cornerbackbr
#28brAdaryon Jones
Senior
Abrrising senior, Adaryon Jones is the only returning starter in a young Dragonbrdefensive secondary. Leading the team with 22 passes defended, Jones finished lastbryear with 37 tackles and one interception and was named First Team All-District.brExpect the experienced defensive captain to lock down the field as he coversbrthe toughest receivers this season.
Safety
#15brAndy Chelf
Junior
Afterbrseeing limited play time last season at cornerback, Andy Chelf moves into thebrdefensive backfield replacing Ray Crockett, opposite of Adaryon Jones. Receivingbrhis first varsity start in the season opener against Allen, the senior cornerbrrecorded eight tackles and a pass deflection.
Safetybr
#21brTariq Gordon
Junior
Sonbrof former Denver Bronco Super Bowl Champion and defensive back Darien Gordon,brand brother of former Dragon safety Jalil Gordon, Tariq looks to make his own namebrin the family business this season. A talented junior, this will be Gordon'sbrfirst experience starting in the Dragon defensive backfield.
Cornerback#20brBrett Lepicier
Senior
Abrsenior and spiritual leader of the team saw his first varsity action inbrCarroll's opener against Allen. A hard hitter Lepicier finished the Allen game with threebrtackles and a pass deflection.
Punter
#38brSam Downey
Senior
Alreadybrproven to be a reliable punter, Sam Downey was an honorable mentionbrAll-District selection last season. He returns for his senior year with an evenbrstronger leg, averaging 40 yards per punt early in the season.