The Dragon defense gang tackles Richland during a 52-21 win at Dragon Stadium. Photo by S. Johnson/ SnappedDragons.com
by EJ Holland
It's been five years since Southlake Carroll dropped abrdistrict game.
Over the span, the Dragons have won 29 consecutive leaguebrgames and four outright district titles. But the streak could be in jeopardybrthis Friday when Southlake Carroll travels to Pennington Field to take on abrpowerful Euless Trinity team.
The Trojans are ranked No. 4 in the latest 6A AssociatedbrPress state poll and proved to be a force in non-district play with wins overbrGalena Park North Shore and De La Salle (Calif.), the nation's top team at thebrtime.
“We had a really good win over Richland on Friday,” saidbrSouthlake Carroll head coach Hal Wasson. “It was good to beat a team that hadbrwon three in a row. But we know we have a tough test this Friday. We're goingbrto have our hands full with Trinity.”
The two teams squared off as district foes for the firstbrtime last season. Southlake Carroll came away with a tough, hard fought 10-6victory. Another low scoring game could be in the cards this season.
Despite having a new coach in Chris Jensen, Euless Trinitybrhas continued to play the play the physical brand of football that made it abrTexas high school football juggernaut.
The key to stopping the Trojans is to stop the run. The Trojans run the ball on around 90 percent of itsbroffensive plays with stud running back Ja'Ron Wilson and quarterback TylerbrNatee, who is being recruited as a fullback at the next level. The two havebrcombined for more than 1,600 yards on the ground this season behind EulessbrTrinity's mammoth offensive line.
“It's tough to prepare for Trinity,” Wasson said. “It'sbrhumanly impossible to replicate their massive size. We can't stuff two or threebrguys in the same jersey. But we just have to be disciplined. We know they'rebrfast, strong and are going to run it right at you.”
Like Euless Trinity, Southlake Carroll has a team identitybrand plans to stick to it no matter what. The Dragons have been in a nicebroffensive groove since Mason Holmes took over at quarterback and skill playersbrlike Lil' Jordan Humphrey and Zach Farrar have made major impacts.
The Trojans run a base 4-3 defense but are relatively youngbr— just two starters returned from last year's squad. But, led by nationalbrdefensive tackle recruit Chris Daniels, Euless Trinity is giving up just 19brpoints per game.
“We have to score,” Wasson said. “Every possession isbrmonumental in a game like this. We have to stay on schedule. We have to be whobrwe are. We have to believe and be confident in what you do. We can't panic. Andbrwe have to execute.
“We have the utmost respect for Trinity. They've been anbrelite program for the last 15 years. We don't treat this game any differently.brBut our guys are cognizant of the fact that this is a big game.”