Snapped Dragons / S. Johnson
Carroll's Brody Knowles (10) hauls in a long pass Friday night at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. Carroll defeated Prosper to advance to the Regional Final.
The Carroll Dragons are preparing for a formidable test in the Class 6A Division II Region I final, set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Crowley ISD Stadium.
Carroll advanced after a late-night, weather-delayed win over Prosper, finishing the game around 2 a.m. All eyes now turn to Denton Guyer, a team built on suffocating defense and elite athletic talent.
Guyer’s defensive unit has been one of the state’s most stingy in the playoffs. In three games, the Wildcats have allowed a combined 100 rushing yards and, in the meantime, shutting out Prosper Rock Hill in round one, dominating Jesuit 44-14 in round two, and narrowly escaping Byron Nelson 24-21 in round three on a game-winning field goal by Andrew Johnson. In that Byron Nelson matchup, Guyer intercepted the ball three times while committing no turnovers themselves, showing a disciplined, opportunistic style.
Carroll’s offense will be challenged to find space against a defense built to stop the run and pressure the quarterback. Guyer’s offense, led by dual-threat quarterback Carter Nelson, adds another layer of difficulty. Nelson has been explosive with his legs, rushing for 100 yards against Byron Nelson and 45 against Jesuit, forcing defenses to account for his mobility on every play.
The engine of the Guyer attack, however, is running back Kaedyn Cobbs. The four-star athlete, who also plays linebacker, has been dominant on both sides of the ball and is officially committed to Illinois. Carroll will likely see him on the field nearly every down, a matchup that will test the Dragons’ defensive discipline and endurance.
Guyer (11-2), ranked No. 10 in Class 6A entering the playoffs, is making its 12th regional final all-time, marking the second straight year and the sixth time in seven seasons that the Wildcats have reached this stage. The program last advanced past this round in 2022, capping four consecutive runs to at least the state semifinals.
Notes and Nuggets - Too Long, Didn't Read version
Brock Boyd Check-In: The Ohio State-commit has been one of the Dallas area’s most dependable playmakers, posting 80 catches for 1,271 yards and 17 touchdowns — top-five marks in Class 6A. He added 126 yards and two scores in the win over Prosper, his third straight 100-yard playoff outing and his sixth in the last eight games. Averaging nearly 100 yards per night, Boyd remains Carroll’s most consistent big-game target as the postseason rolls on.
Renda-riffic: The Pittsburgh pledge continues to steer Carroll’s high-powered offense with 3,749 passing yards and 46 total touchdowns on the season. He spread the ball efficiently again against Prosper while also rushing for 72 yards as Carroll leaned on a more varied ground attack after the long weather delay. Renda’s command and versatility have helped keep the Dragons humming at nearly 52 points per game.
Surprise!: Senior defensive back Parker Harris turned into an unexpected offensive weapon in the regional semifinal. Used sparingly on offense all year, he erupted for 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns, tossed a scoring pass and grabbed an interception. His breakout performance, paired with strong nights from Davis Penn and Renda on the ground, showcased head coach Riley Dodge’s willingness to add new wrinkles. Harris’ emergence comes at a crucial time with stingy Denton Guyer up next.
Defensive Test vs. Guyer: Carroll must navigate one of the state’s best defenses, which has allowed just 100 rushing yards in three playoff games. Ball security and quick reads will be critical.
Wildcat Offensive Weapons: Guyer quarterback Carter Nelson can hurt teams with his legs, meaning Carroll’s defensive backs and linebackers must stay disciplined on every snap. And Kaedyn Cobbs, the Illinois commit, plays running back and linebacker; he'll likely be on the field for nearly every down.