By Christina Mlynski
If Southlake Carroll head coach Hal Wasson could pick onebrword to describe the Dragons' 2014 football schedule, it would be demanding.
With the 2014 schedule including five home games andbrseveral area matchups, Wasson and his team are facing teams that havebrtradition-rich programs.
“Each week is going to be a real dog fight,” Wasson says.br“If you don't bring your A game, you're not going to have a chance to win. Webrhave to be at our best every week for a chance to win these games.”
The schedule features five former state champions andbra new district that will feature Trinity and L.D. Bell for the first time inbrhistory.
Carroll will open the season Friday, Aug. 29 againstbrAustin Westlake at Dragon Stadium.
“Our season starts out with a bang with Austin Westlake,”brWasson adds. “They are one of the most respected programs in the state comingbrinto week one.”
Southlake will then play four non-district games, includingbrTulsa Union and Midland Lee.
The Dragons will host former state champion Abilene forbrhomecoming on Sept. 26.
Following Abilene, powerhouses Coppell and Euless Trinitybrwill take to the turf at Dragon Stadium. Both teams need no introduction andbrhave seen tremendous success over the past few years.
“Since we have some very successful opponents on thebrschedule, I expect that the excitement for the fans and the media will bebrheightened going into the season,” says Carroll ISD Director of Athletics KevinbrOzee. “As for the players, coaches and myself, we cannot worry about ourbropponents as we only concern ourselves with being the very best we can be everybrday and every play.”
The newlybraligned District 7-6A is regarded as one of the toughest in the state.
The Dragons went out of District 4-5A in style. Dozens of Dragons made their mark last season, receiving various AllbrDistrict selections.
Dragon quarterback RyanbrAgnew will return for his senior season and is a veteran force to be reckonedbrwith. Agnew complied 4,449 yards of offensive production and 52 touchdowns. Hebrthrew for 3195 yards, made 32 touchdowns and completed 75 percent of his passes lastbryear.
One of the biggest anticipated home games of the seasonbrwould be against playoff-rival Trinity. Both teams have met three times in thebrpostseason, including thebrlast two seasons, with the Dragons holding a 2-1 edge.
“We have found that when we focus on ourselves and being thebrbest we can be instead of worrying about our opponent and the things that webrcannot control, we tend to have pretty good results,” Ozee says.
As the Dragons suit up to take on one of the mostbrchallenging schedules in Carroll football history, Wasson explains that thebrteam never takes for granted the tremendous support Southlake provides.
“We look forward to representing our school andbrthe community in a great way because it’s going to take all of us pulingbrtogether this season,” he says. “We know it’s going to be a demandingbrand challenging season, but it’s a very rewarding deal. We are excited.”
DRAGON 2014 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT SITE TIME
Aug. 29 Austin Westlake Dragon Stadium 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 Tulsa Union AT&T Stadium 8 p.m.
Sept. 12 Midland Lee Away 7 p.m.
Sept. 19 OPEN
Sept. 26 Abilene (HC) Dragon Stadium 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 *Coppell Dragon Stadium 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 *Richland Away 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 *Trinity Dragon Stadium 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 *Coll. Heritage Away 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 31 *Haltom Dragon Stadium 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 *L.D. Bell Away 7:30 p.m.
* Denotes District 7-6A game