Southlake (0-0) vs Austin Westlake (0-0)
By EJ Holland
There is no question Southlake Carroll wouldn't be where itbris today without Todd Dodge.
The iconic coach led the Dragons to five 5A state finals andbrfour championships from 2002-2006. During that time, Dodge compiled anbreye-popping 79-1 record, with his only loss coming in the state title game inbr2003.
In 2006, Dodge left for North Texas. He returned to the highbrschool scene as the head coach at Marble Falls in 2012 and landed with CentralbrTexas powerhouse Austin Westlake this offseason.
When Southlake Carroll plays host to Austin Westlake in tomorrow night's season opener, it will mark the return of Dodge tobrDragon Stadium. While it will be arguably the biggest game in the state with abrcircus-like atmosphere, Southlake Carroll head coach Hal Wasson said his teambris treating it like any other game.
“It's business as usual,” Wasson said. “Obviously, we likebrto think we're going to be a physical football team and a disciplined footballbrteam. It's a big game for us because it's the next game. No game is bigger thanbrthe other. It's just the first big game.”
Wasson served as an assistant under Dodge during his timebrwith the Dragons and is extremely familiar with his coaching philosophy. Butbrhow Austin Westlake's returning players will fit into Dodge's wide-open system,brwell, that remains a mystery.
Last year's film on the Chaparals is basically being thrownbrout the window. Instead, Wasson is focusing on having the Dragons as preparedbras possible.
“We're just working on us right now,” he said. “We don'tbrhave anything on them, but with Coach Dodge being over there and him having abrcouple of coaches that were on our staff, they know our personnel, ourbrstrengths and where they think we might be vulnerable. They know more about usbrthan we do them, that's for sure.”
Austin Westlake, which Dodge helped Southlake Carroll defeatbrin the 2006 state title game, returns just one starter on offense — do-it-allbrathlete Sean Rollings. Rollings is a versatile performer who gained more thanbr1,000 yards from scrimmage last season lining up as quarterback and wide receiver.brThe defense is more experienced and brings back stud linebackers Breckyn Hager,bra Baylor commit, and Hudson Hall, who is receiving plenty of FBS attention. Hager had 57 tackles and 9 tackles for a lossbrlast season and Hall wasn’t far behind with 53 and 13 respectively.
Both Hager and Hall could give the Southlake Carroll offensebrfits, but senior quarterback Ryan Agnewis ready for the challenge.
“Austin Westlake is a good opponent,” Agnew said. “There isbrgoing to be a lot of media hype with Todd Dodge returning and a lot ofbremotions. It's cool because Coach Dodge coached all my brothers.
“It's all great, but in-between those 48 minutes he's acrossbrthe sideline, so he's not going to be my friend.”
Looking for more Southlake Sports? Sign up for our 2x Weekly Dragon Pride Football Fan Blasts!