The Southlake Carroll Dragons (8-0) shut out the Keller Central Chargers (1-7) 49-14 to clinch a spot in the 2018 Division 5-6A playoffs.
Following this match up, Carroll was ranked No. 3 in the Dallas Morning News' Class 6A area poll, and No. 6 in the state. The victory marks Carroll's 19th consecutive year advancing to the postseason.
This was Carroll's second to last road game of the regular season with a matchup at Eaton later this week. Carroll will face its final team of the season, Keller Timber Creek, in Dragon Stadium for senior night on November 9th.
The Dragon offense was dynamic with seven total touchdowns against the Chargers - four rushing and three receiving. Senior quarterback Will Bowers threw for over 190 yards with an 83 percent completion rate, his highest in a game so far this season. The offense was spread amongst many Dragon receivers who racked up over 200 receiving yards. The ground game was just as potent nearly rushing for 250 yards on the night.
The Keller Central offense was looking to get back into the groove of a higher scoring game similar to earlier games in the season, but was stopped time and time again by a tough Dragon defense. Junior outside linebacker Graham Faloona led the defense in tackles with nine, while Preston Forney followed closely behind with eight. The Dragons recorded five sacks on the game, their third highest this season.
The Dragons came out firing early on their first possession with a 49-yard touchdown run up the middle from TJ McDaniel to put Carroll up 7-0 over the Chargers with over 10 minutes left in the first quarter.
The Chargers would not be able to respond on their first possession, and would kick it away on fourth down.
A 61-yard punt return from RJ Mickens would give the Dragons excellent field position on their second possession of the game, and set up a 23-yard touchdown run from McDaniel to increase the gap 14-0.
After Keller Central failed to respond in the first quarter, Bowers notched his first passing touchdown of the night with a pass to Glen Mitchell for 16 yards into the end zone, making the score 21-0.
Mickens showed his speed again in the second quarter with a 48-yard touchdown return, setting the Dragons up for another two-play drive into the end zone. Bower's second passing touchdown went to Carson White for 14-yards, quadrupling the score to 28-0.
Dragon Pride Player of the Week Eli Furgal would continue his standout streak from last week against Fossil Ridge with another touchdown run. The Chargers remained scoreless in the first half and the Dragons went into the locker room at halftime leading 35-0.
Carroll was the first to score in the second half with Bowers' pass to Furgal for 16 yards into the end zone, putting the Dragons up 42-0.
The Chargers finally responded midway through the third quarter with a 6-yard rush into the end zone, putting Keller Central on the board 42-7.
Carroll's seventh touchdown of the night came from quarterback Blake Byrd with a 15-yard run. The Dragons led the Chargers 49-7.
Keller Central scored once more in the fourth quarter, putting 14 points on the board for the Chargers, but it was not enough to overcome the 49-14 deficit.
Next week, the Dragons will travel to Northwest ISD Stadium to face V.R. Eaton, who is expected to be a tough division opponent.