The Dragons are back in black as they head into the first round of playoffs. Photo courtesy of Rex Teter Photography.
“There's nothing physically different about putting on thebrblack pants — it just means something more,” said quarterback Ryan Agnew. “Itbrmeans playoffs and creating your own legacy.” With tonight's return to Dragonbrplayoff football, also returning are the familiar black pants and yes, thebrgolden locks.
The Dragons (9-1) look to increase their current winningbrstreak to 10 as they open up the 5A Division 1 playoffs against Arlington Bowiebr(7-3). After splitting two earlier playoff meetings with the Volunteers inbrrecent years, Hal Wasson and his staff are accustomed to having to game-planbrfor a familiar foe in the Volunteers.
“They're very fast, very athletic,” Coach Wasson said. “Webrhave to tackle well, run the ball well and protect the football, be verybrefficient in all areas and keep their athletes off the field.” With this year’sbrmeeting having the same win-or-go-home implications as the previous two, thebrDragons look to go up one in the series.
Southlake Carroll boasts one of the more potent offenses inbrthe DFW area despite losing one of its leading returning receivers Ryan Weigel,brwho finished second on the team in receptions and receiving yards a season ago.brEntering the playoffs second in DFW 5A competition in both total yards per gamebrand points per game — averaging 520.2 ypg and 52.3 ppg, respectively — thebrDragons are looking to maximize one of the more balanced offensive attacks inbrthe state of Texas.
“It's been a team effort,” Wasson said. “Team chemistry isbrnot inherited — it's a journey. It's fun to watch this team grow and mature. Webrstill have to grow, and that's the good news; we have 15 new starters. It'sbrbeen fun to see the journey.” With junior quarterback Ryan Agnew having abrstellar year spreading the ball around to a deep group of talented receivers, plusbrthe two-headed monster of A.J. Ezzard and Li'l Jordan Humphrey combining for 1,248bryards and eight touchdowns, the Dragons seem poised to make a deep playoff run.
The Volunteers enter the playoffs with a 7-3 record,brdropping two of their last three including a blowout 48-17 loss to districtbrrival Arlington Martin. Facing Martin without star athlete Tony James, whobrsuffered a concussion the previous week in a loss to Arlington, severely hamperedbrthe Bowie offense. James, a wide receiver who converted to quarterback last seasonbrafter starter Keaton Perry suffered a season-ending injury, once again tookbrover for Perry, filling in admirably and totaling 1,035 yards through thebrground and air along with 20 touchdowns.
Facing a stingy Bowie defense that only allows 280.5 ypg — rankingbrin the top 15 in area competition — the Dragons expect increased pressurebron their wide receivers. “It all depends on how they play us defensively,”brWasson added. “We anticipate press coverage and man coverage. Ultimately, we needbrto run the football effectively and spread the wealth, give it to ourbrplaymakers in space and have them make plays.”
Kickoff for Friday's game begins at 7 p.m. in Coppell’sbrBuddy Echols Stadium.
Photography courtesy of Rex Teter Photography.
Robert Halliman is a senior journalism major and political science minor at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Penn. A 2010 Carroll Senior High graduate, Robert played defensive tackle for coach Hal Wasson from 2007–2010. An aspiring sports agent and media personality, Robert is also a member of the Lehigh University Business Careers and Entertainment Club.