Cameron Emery led a corp of senior receivers who came up big at their last home game.
by Robert Halliman
For over 40 seniors on the Dragon roster Halloween would be the last regular season home game of their careers and they made the most of it dominating the Haltom Buffalos 62-0. With just one game left to play before heading into the playoffs, it is imperative Coach Hal Wasson knows whom he can count on to make big plays. As many of Carroll's seniors got to take part in the action for the first time this season, a variety of new faces stepped up in the victory providing even more options to throw into the fray for the postseason drive.
The Dragon passing attack came alive Friday night as Carroll quarterbacks combined for five touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Agnew threw for 252 yards while completing 15 of his 19 passing attempts and three touchdowns, while backup quarterback Montana Murphy threw for two touchdowns to go along with 77 yards passing. In what turned out to be an exhilarating senior night send-off, the depth of the Carroll receiving core was on full display as three new faces had career nights in their last home game at Dragon stadium. Senior Wide Receiver and Dragon Pride Player of the Week Cameron Emery had his best game as a Dragon; catching five passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, while senior Brooks Pannell added two receiving touchdowns. Senior CJ Bryan also turned in his career best game, catching 5 passes for 90 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. As the passing game clicked, all night the Carroll rushing attack didn’t seem to miss a beat. Senior Running back Deondre Wiltshire led Southlake’s ground game rushing for 95 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries, while Li’l Jordan Humphrey added 77 yards and a touchdown.
Tim Wasson's defense pitched its second shutout of the year, limiting the Buffalos to 56 yards of total offense. After allowing over 300 yards against Coppell a few weeks back, the Dragon defense has been nothing short of spectacular taking away teams passing attacks while stopping the run. Sophomore Barrett Buck led Southlake Carroll with seven tackles, while senior linebacker Colton Neid finished second on the team with six tackles.
“We have to continue to get better each week, that's the key, said captain Tariq Gordon. “In the big playoff games we must get our offense the ball, three and outs are huge and our focus is limiting teams to four or less big plays a game.”
With the playoffs looming, the Dragons look to finish the regular season undefeated Friday night as they travel to Hurst to take on a 1-8 L.D. Bell team. Kickoff begins at 7:30 p.m.
