The Southlake Carroll Dragons (6-0) are looking for a homecoming win tonight in Dragon Stadium as they face off against the Keller Fossil Ridge Panthers (4-2).
Homecoming is a special and long-running tradition for both Carroll Senior High School and the Southlake community, and is even more important this year as Riley Dodge's first homecoming as head coach of the Dragons. This entire season has marked a homecoming for the new coach, as the Carroll Class of 2008 alumni also has a 10-year reunion this year.
The Dragons heftily defeated the Byron Nelson Bobcats last Friday 41-17, while the Panthers gained their second district win over the Keller Central Chargers 38-21.
Fossil Ridge has proven to be a competitor in the new District 5-6A drawings this year, defeating Byron Nelson and Keller Central in district play, as well as Flower Mound and Hebron in non-district play. The Panthers' two losses came from Ryan (6-0) and V.R. Eaton (4-2).
After juggling two quarterbacks in the off season leading up to the fall, senior Scott Colis is the main man under center for the Panthers, with just under 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns already this season, as well as a 67 percent completion rate. If the Dragon defense is quick to the ball, they will likely be able to regain possession, as Colis has thrown eight interceptions this season.
The biggest challenge for Carroll's defense will be contain both the pass and run game. This comes from Fossil Ridge's pair of returning skill players in senior receiver Jaylen Hearst and junior running back Colione Evans. So far this season, Hearst has a total of 547 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Evans has just under 400 rushing yards so far for his junior campaign, and four touchdowns as well.
The Panther defense is also strong this season after returning eight starters from last season. Senior linebacker Marco Olivas leads the defense with 66 solo tackles and 84 total tackles. Secondary members DeMarcus Jones and A.J. McGill also have a large presence on the defense with just under 50 tackles each. The Panther defense also has a total of nine sacks.
Quarterback Will Bowers will need to execute plays and passing quickly, as to escape the speed of the Fossil Ridge defense. The run game with senior running back TJ McDaniel will be the best bet for the Dragons, as the Panthers have already forced 10 interceptions.
The Dragons will kick off against the Panthers at 7 p.m. in Dragon Stadium.