Deep threats: Parker Fentriss and Zach Farrar give quarterback Ryan Agnew speed on the edges. Combined the group of Carroll receivers look to give the Rebels all they can handle this week.
by EJ Holland
It's been a thrilling couple of weeks for Southlake Carrollbras the Dragons have picked up wins in their first two games by a combined fourbrpoints. And now they'll have their first true road test.
On Friday, Southlake Carroll will head west to take on a MidlandLee team that is still trying to put all the pieces together. This could be anbropportunity for the Dragons to finally gain some separation instead of havingbrto make big plays down the stretch.
“We're very excited for the road trip. Midland Lee is a goodbrfootball team,” said head coach Hal Wasson. “We want to get glaringly better upbrfront with our blocking, and we want to improve our tackling. We haven't beenbras consistent as we would have liked.”
Midland Lee is coming off an impressive 9-3 season, but thebrRebels haven't exactly found their groove in 2014. They squeaked out abrtwo-point victory against Keller in Week 1 and were dismantled by El PasobrCoronado, 46-32, a week ago.
But Wasson isn't underestimating Midland Lee by any means.brOut of their one-back multiple set, the Rebels are effective when in comes tobrpounding the football. Aaron Dobbins rushed for more than 1,000 yards a yearbrago and is off to a hot start this year, gaining more than 200 yards.
“This week, we have to do a better job communicatingbrdefensively,” Wasson said. “We're not where I want us to be defensively inbrterms of communication. We have to get better at that and making sure we wrapbrup.”
While Midland Lee and Dobbins might be able to find somebrdaylight, it will be tough for the Rebels to stop or even limit Southlake Carroll'sbroffense. The Midland Lee secondary wasbrtorched last week by EP Coronado and appears to be the weakest link in theirbrunit.
If Southlake Carroll quarterback Ryan Agnew who has passedbrfor 396 yards and one touchdown, can return to junior form, the Dragons shouldbrhave no issue putting points on the scoreboard. But the offensive line mustbrkeep Midland Lee defensive linemen TJ Soto and Nathen Seav at bay.
“We really need our offensive line to do a better jobbrblocking in this game,” Wasson said. “I think it all comes down to beingbrcoachable. We've seen three or four offensive linemen make improvements, so webrjust have to continue to get better.”
Midland Lee is a familiar opponent for Southlake Carroll —brthe Dragons beat the Rebels twice last season by a combined score of 114-21. Historybrshould repeat itself in this one.
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