Head Coach Hal Wasson addresses his players during the 2017 Green-Wite Spring Game on May 18, at Dragon Stadium.
by EJ Holland
Dragon pride is in the air.
While the 2017-18 football season is still a few monthsbraway, Southlake Carroll fans got a sneak peak at the Dragons at their annualbrspring game this week.
Southlake Carroll lost a number of key starters from lastbryear's squad, but the team showed potential on both sides of the ball.
Cade Bell catches a pass at the Dragon's annual Green-White Spring Game at Dragon Stadium, May 18, 2017.
Cade Bell catches a pass at the Dragon's annual Green-White Spring Game at Dragon Stadium, May 18, 2017.
“Our rallying cry throughout the spring has been we have tobrget more consistent,” said head coach Hal Wasson. “I think that was apparent inbrsome areas. We have lot of new faces. I'm very confident that we will keepbrgetting stronger and continue the journey throughout the summer.
“I think the defense flew around tonight. The offense didbrsome things well, and we protected the football. We just have to keep gettingbrbetter.”
One of the biggest questions entering spring was atbrquarterback.
The Dragons have a tradition of excellence at the positionbrand have produced a number of college level signal-callers. Two-year starterbrMason Holmes was lost to graduation, which means there will be a battle underbrcenter.
The competition is open, but junior Will Bowers appears tobrhave separated himself from the pack this spring.
“It's no secret that if we were playing tomorrow, WillbrBowers would be our guy because he's familiar with the offense,” Wasson said.br“With that being said, the younger guys haven't had the same reps.”
Southlake Carroll will also need some of its skill positionbrplayers to step up during the summer. Senior wide receiver Cade Bell had abrsolid spring and figures to be one of Bowers' go-to weapons.
Despite the loss of key linemen Carson Green to TexasbrA&M, and Ryan Miller and Henry Klinge to Baylor, the offensive line shouldbrbe a strength with Jackson Kimball and Matt Leehan leading the way.
The Dragons will be young defensively. Only four startersbrreturn and familiar faces like Oklahoma signee Robert Barnes are off to thebrnext level.
“I think we've shown to be a physical defense,” Wasson said.br“That's impressed me. But we're going to have to be great technique guys andbrplay very hard because we are very much undersized up front.”
As Wasson mentioned, the defensive line is a work inbrprogress. The linebacker group should be solid with Jacob Doddridge back inbraction, and the secondary has some playmakers like RJ Mickens, who led the teambrin interceptions as a freshman.
Overall, Wasson is excited about the upcoming season andbrbelieves his team's strong spring will pay dividends down the line.
“We keep coming back to the word consistency, but that'sbrwhere we are,” Wasson said. ”But I always feel good about our Dragons. I lovebrour players and the way they work. We have a lot of new guys, but I'm alwaysbrconfident.”
Players to Watch inbr2017:
Southlake Carroll wrapped up its annual spring game thisbrweek and a number of players impressed.
The Dragons will be young this year and need both itsbrunderclassmen and senior leaders to step up in a big way.
Here is a look at the top performers from the aforementionedbrspring game.
Jacob Doddridge takes a Yellow Jacket miscue in for a safety in a 30-23 Dragon win vs Rockwall ISD on Friday 9/9/16. Photo Courtesy of SnappedDragons.com S.Johnson.
Jacob Doddridge takes a Yellow Jacket miscue in for a safety in a 30-23 Dragon win vs Rockwall ISD on Friday 9/9/16. Photo Courtesy of SnappedDragons.com S.Johnson.
DB/WR RJ Mickens— The super sophomore played a little bit of everything in the secondary.brMickens didn’t allow any catches and was an intimidating presence on the backbrend. After a breakout freshman season, Mickens should be one of the topbrdefensive backs in the state this year. He also saw time at wide receiver andbrscored a touchdown.
LB Jacob Doddridge— Doddridge played down on the defense line last year, but he has moved tobrlinebacker full-time. And that’s a great fit for him. His size and athleticismbrmakes him a force to be reckoned with. Doddridge was also part of the offensivebrgame plan as he lined up in the backfield. It wouldn’t be surprising to see himbrplay tight end. Most colleges are recruiting him as an H-Back.
QB Will Bowers— As head coach Hal Wasson mentioned, the quarterback battle is ongoing,brbut Bowers has the advantage heading into fall. The junior was accurate andbrmade some tight throws. He is familiar with the offense and didn’t strugglebrmoving the offense downfield. He still has some work to do in various areas,brbut Bowers certainly has a high ceiling.
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