Snapped Dragons / S. Johnson
Carroll opened its 2025 playoff run Thursday night with exactly the kind of statement win a No. 1 team is supposed to make. But this time, it wasn’t the offense stealing the spotlight.
The Dragons' defense delivered its third shutout of the season, blanking Crowley 35–0 in the Class 6A Division II bi-district round at Dragon Stadium.
Carroll moves on to the area round against San Angelo Central, set for Friday, Nov. 21 at Art Briles Stadium in Stephenville. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
The tone was set early on Thursday. Carroll punched in a three-play, 51-yard touchdown drive in just 90 seconds, capped by a smooth rollout and strike from quarterback Angelo Renda to Blake Gunter. But from there, the night belonged to a defensive unit playing with an edge. The Dragons snuffed out three Crowley red-zone possessions, including a final-minute goal-line stand that preserved the shutout.
Offensively, Renda was steady and efficient, throwing for 212 yards and rushing for a team-high 64. Brock Boyd continued his monster season with 101 receiving yards and a touchdown, and later added a 45-yard punt-return score to put the game on ice. Brooks Biggers punched in a short TD run, while Renda added a scrambling score late in the third.
Notes and Nuggets:
- Not much went wrong for Carroll on Thursday, but kicker Gavin Strange missed two field goals in the third quarter. We're nitpicking, though: Strange has been one of the best kickers on the planet during his high school career.
- Crawford Taylor's breakout season continues. Pressed into an elevated role with star end Zac Hays missing time during the regular season, Taylor responded with a team-high 14 tackles for loss. He was dominant on Thursday, sacking Crowley quarterback Antwain Griffin twice on fourth down.
- Speaking of defense, this was the ninth game of the season the Dragons held an opponent to 7 points or fewer. We've beat this drum all year, but it's worth mentioning again as the playoffs continue: Yes, Carroll's offense is elite. The defense is officially elite, as well.
- Good to see Brooks Biggers find the end zone against Crowley. He filled in more than admirably for star back Davis Penn during the regular season.
- Another ho-hum night for Renda, who threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 64. After the regular season, head coach Riley Dodge told Southlake Style that anytime a quarterback is putting up 70% completion percentages, he's doing something elite. Renda finished the year with a 77% completion rate, but "struggled" Thursday by only completing 60%.
- This is the 26th consecutive season that Carroll has qualified for the playoffs.