by EJ Holland
It's hard to believe, but the Texas high school footballbrseason is at the midway point.
With only eight left weeks until the state title games inbrAT&T Stadium in December, Southlake Carroll is preparing to take part inbrits most important games of the year.
Luckily for the Dragons, they are playing some of the bestbrfootball in the state. Head Coach Hal Wasson and the Dragons have won six in a rowbrsince dropping the season opener to Tulsa Union and are outscoring opponents bybran average of 35-17.
“I thought going in that our offensive line and defensivebrlines would be a strength for us and so far so good,” Wasson said. “Our skillbrpositions and our secondary continue to improve each week. Really, we arebrimproving together each week.
“That excites me because it means the team is gettingbrhungry. I'm most excited about the culture of Dragon football. That's whatbrhelps us. It's not just about what we do but how we do it.”
Dragon Quarterback Mason Holmes has been gaining momentum in recent weeks. The senior captain has thrown 9 of his 10 TDs on the season in the past three games and shows now signs of letting up.
Another team starting to gain momentum is this week'sbropponent.
After starting the season 0-5, Byron Nelson has reboundedbrwith two huge victories over Euless Trinity, which was one of the biggestbrupsets of the season statewide, and Lewisville.
“They are definitely playing at their best,” Wasson said.br“They were a playoff team last year. They have won a couple of big games overbrthe last two weeks. They certainly have our undivided attention.
After giving up an average of 44.6 points per contest inbrtheir first five games, Bryron Nelson's defense, led by defensive tacklebrTristan Allen, has stepped up in a big way, holding Lewisville and EulessbrTrinity to 21 and 20 points, respectively.
“I think they are playing more consistent on defense,”brWasson said. “They are getting more turnovers and capitalizing on them. Theybrseem to be playing with more energy and more confidence.”
Byron Nelson has also found a groove on offense. The Bobcatsbrlike to throw early and often out of their spread attack and feature twobrdangerous wide receivers in Tyler Milliken and Pascal Mondombo, who havebrcombined for 1,289 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.
“They throw the ball around extremely well,” Wasson said.br“They've come up with some big plays. They have more confidence. The key for usbris limiting the big play. That's where it all starts on defense for us. We havebrto be disciplined.”
The Dragon defense will have to once again show off its stopping power behind such notable names as; captains Barrett Buck and Robert Barnes, leading tackler John Miscoll (67), and sack leaders Eric Spitler and Luke Jeter (3 each).