Five starters return to a retooled, yet ever potent offensive force. Photos courtesy of Rex Teter Photography.
Head Coach Hal Wasson and Offensive Coordinator ClaytonbrGeorge know a thing or two about reloading. After a year in which three-year starterbrKenny Hill guided the team to a District 4-5A leading 50.7 points per game, thebrDragons return five starters to a retooled, yet ever potent Southlake-Carrollbroffensive force. Although the Dragon team has had to make significantbradjustments after losing its star quarterback, leading receiver and fourbroffensive linemen, the fast-paced, up-tempo offense returns some key playersbrfrom last year's squad.
It will bebrtough to replace his leadership with 4,700 total yards and 60 touchdowns lastbrseason, but with Kenny Hill now at Texas A&M, the Dragons have found hisbrsuccessor in athletic junior Ryan Agnew. After several strong performances inbrreserve duty last season, Agnew has already seen a fair amount of game actionbrat the 5A level. The 6'0” gunslinger, who clocked in at a blazing 4.5-second 40-yardbrdash during summer workouts, has the speed of a wide receiver. He provided thebrteam with a steady hand and some quick feet last year on his way to over 1,000bryards and 17 total touchdowns.
After completing 71 percent ofbrpasses (43–60) as a sophomore on a team that went deep into the playoffs, Agnewbris no stranger to the big stage. In fact, he has started his tenure as Dragonbrstarting quarterback rather nicely, leading the summer's 7 on 7 team to winningbrthe Adidas State Tournament Championship.
Complementing the young quarterbackbrthis season is a very talented and experienced group of wide receivers. Withbrone of the better receiving tandems of the Wasson era, the Dragons are filledbrwith depth for a versatile and efficient offensive attack. The team returnsbrthree of its top four pass catchers in seniors Ryan Weigel, Luke Timian andbrKeaton Duhon, who will lead an experienced group of receivers. Senior JoebrHeineman and junior Parker Fentriss look to step up and add even morebrproduction to a receiver position that saw nearly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdownsbrtotal last year.
Though theybrare known for a potent air attack, the Dragons are especially pleased to returnbra seasoned veteran rusher in senior A.J. Ezzard. In Ezzard, the Dragons have theirbrfirst three-year starter at running back since multipurpose phenom Tre Newtonbrplayed for the team. Both powerful and elusive, Ezzard rushed for 6.6 yards perbrcarry as a junior. Coming off his best season to date, he will force opposingbrdefenses to stay in the box and cover the run. Not necessarily known as abrreceiver, Ezzard did show versatility in the backfield with 16 receptions forbr132 yards last season. As Carroll's top returning playmaker, he will provide abrlot of balance to a young Southlake offensive attack.
When it comes to high schoolbrfootball, graduation routinely leads to a loss of experience. This year, thebrDragons' offensive will be challenged by lack of experience, returning only onebrstarter from a year ago. A rather large 6'3”, 290-pound field general at leftbrtackle, Evan Brown will play an important role as team captain and will formbrthe foundation of an otherwise untested group of first-year starters. Alongsidebrthe SMU-commit senior, left guard Ian Moss, senior center Landry Williams,brjunior right guard Grant Stewart and senior right tackle Jack Proskovec willbrprovide protection and plenty of holes for a Dragon offense looking to matchbrits production from a season ago. A balanced and well-coached Hal Wasson systembrwill be on display as the Dragons are expected to once again dominate 4-5A Districtbrplay.
The Offense
#7 Quarterbackbr
RyanbrAgnew
Junior
First-yearbrstarter Ryan Agnew is the latest in a long line of Dragon dual-threat quarterbacks.brA Southlake Carroll legacy with three older brothers who started for thebrDragons, Agnew compiled 1,071 yards of offensive gain and 14 touchdowns hisbrsophomore year, giving fans glimpses of what looks like a bright future.
#26brRunning Back
A.J.brEzzard
Senior
Abrthree-year starter, senior running back A.J. Ezzard looks to build on a seasonbrin which he broke the 1,000-yard barrier while scoring 15 touchdowns. Abrreturning first team all-district performer, Ezzard is described by his coachesbras a violent runner with the dynamic ability to break away in open field.
#2 Wide Receiver
Keaton Duhon
Senior
As a junior, Keaton Duhon was one of the team's more reliable receivers, finishing fourth in receiving yards. He ended 2012 with 21 catches for 335 yards and two touchdowns and is ready to have a more expanded role this season. Duhon shared MVP honors with quarterback Ryan Agnew at this past summer's Adidas 7 on 7 state tournament.
#3 Wide Receiver
Chris Hogan
Senior
A tough receiver with good hands and speed, Chris Hogan has emerged as a top target in his senior year. Stepping up in the early part of the season, he caught five passes for 38 yards in week two versus Midland Lee.
#5brWide Receiver
RyanbrWeigel
Senior
Returningbrto the Dragons as the leading receiver from last year's area championship team,brRyan Weigel looks to improve on a tremendous year in which he caught 48 ballsbrfor 887 yards and six touchdowns. The quick-footed Weigel used his sub 4.4-second,br40-yard speed to stretch opposing defenses, averaging a staggering 18 yards perbrcatch last season.
#9brWide Receiver
LukebrTimian
Senior
An experiencedbrreceiver and senior captain, Luke Timian returns to the Dragons' core ofbrreceivers after a strong junior season in which he caught 39 balls for 721bryards and seven touchdowns. The first team all-district performer is hailed bybrhis coaches as the team's best route runner — a skill he uses to open upbrdefenses and create mismatches.
#34 Kicker
Drew Brown
Senior
One of the more consistent kickers in Carroll history, Drew Brown returns for his senior season after nailing nine out of 10 kicks last season, while totaling 124 points. A Nebraska commit like his older brother, Houston Texans kicker Kris Brown, Brown's strong leg and nerves of steel will be vital as the Dragons continue towards the postseason.
#63 Left Tackle
EvanbrBrown
Senior
Abrmammoth 6'3”, 290-pound left tackle, the SMU commit is the lone returningbrstarter from last year's team. A first team all-district performer last season,brBrown, now a captain, looks to anchor a new set of offensive linemen providingbrprotection and time for Ryan Agnew and plenty of running lanes for A.J. Ezzard.br
#55brLeft Guard
IanbrMoss
Senior
IanbrMoss steps into the starting role, replacing Holden Sheehan at left guard. Withbrgood size and quickness, he excels at both run blocking and pass protection.
#60brCenter
LandrybrWilliams
Senior
Abrsolid contributor on the offensive line rotation as a junior, Landry Williamsbrnow steps into the starting role as a senior. He will put his pass protectionbrtechnique, footwork and size to good use in the middle of every play.
#64brRight Guard
GrantbrStewart
Junior
Earningbra roster spot with toughness and determination, Grant Stewart, the youngestbrmember of the offensive line's front five, steps into the starting role vacatedbrby former team captain Alec Deutsch.
#62brRight Tackle
JackbrProskovec
Senior
Havingbrgained much experience as a rotation player in 2012, Jack Proskovec takes on abrstarting role for his senior season. Expect his energy and work ethic tobrprovide a boost to an already deep line.
Photos courtesy of Rex Teter Photography.