by EJ Holland
It's all about the next game.
That's Southlake Carroll's mantra following in abrdisappointing performance in the season opener that saw the Dragons strugglebrimmensely in a 21-10 loss to Oklahoma powerhouse Tulsa Union on Friday.
Senior WR Jackson Davis heads up field in the season opener vs Tulsa Union on Friday, August 26 at Dragon Stadium. Photo by S. Johnson SnappedDragons.com
“We have to be a team of resiliency,” said head coach HalbrWasson. “That's nothing new. We talked about that all spring and all of fallbrcamp. We have to have a great, positive attitude this week. I am confident ourbrguys will do just that. This week is a new opportunity.”
While Wasson is accurate in his assessment, this weekbrdoesn't necessarily serve as a prime bounce back opportunity.
The Dragons will play host to an electric Arlington Martinbrteam full of talented underclassmen. Arlington Martin is coming off a dominantbr55-7 victory over Dallas Skyline and has built up plenty of momentum.
“Martin is a very good football team,” Wasson said. “Theybrhave outstanding skill guys that will put a lot of pressure on our defense.brThey are a physical team. It's going to be a challenge for us to get betterbrthis week.”
Arlington Martin runs a balanced attack on offense out ofbrmultiple formations. The main catalyst for the Warriors, however, is runningbrback Juma Otoviano, who rushed for 122 yards last week.
Southlake Carroll must be ready in the trenches after givingbrup 236 yards on the ground last week.
“It's going to be a tough challenge defensively,” Wassonbrsaid. “We have to be more disciplined. Martin will give you a lot ofbrformations. We have to line up quickly and tackle well. That's the disciplinedbrpart of it.”
On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers JaranbrWashington and Montrell Smith lead the way for Arlington Martin. Both playedbrkey roles in forcing six turnovers against Dallas Skyline last week.
Southlake Carroll had three turnovers of its own last weekbrand lacked any kind of explosiveness. The Dragons mustered just 178 yardsbrthrough the air and 52 yards rushing against Tulsa Union.
“We struggled offensively,” Wasson said. “A lot was selfbrinflicted. When you play really good teams, you have to protect the football.brThat was the downfall. We have to be better this week. We have to correct a lotbrof stuff this week.”
Southlake Carroll is in serious jeopardy of starting thebryear 0-2 for the first time in Wasson's tenure as head coach. The Dragons mustbrget in a groove on offense and find a way to slow down the Warriors in order tobravoid just that.