Gridiron Guide 07- Texas' Perfect Storm

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     Southlake Carroll’s dominance of Class 5A since being promoted from the 4A ranks in 2002 has been nothing short of astounding, especially considering the vast balance of talent in Texas today.  A combined record of 79-1 speaks for itself.  Not only have the Dragons won four state titles in the last five seasons, but they’ve recorded perfect 16-0 records in each of the triumphs.  Texas high school football legend is being reshaped before our eyes.

     How has Carroll managed to accomplish this?  Though the players have changed, the fundamental aspects of the program have remained constant.  Almost no one in the state executes as cleanly and effectively as the Dragons have during the last five seasons. The only reason “almost” enters the equation is because of the lone mark in Carroll’s loss column since 2002. 

     In the 2003 Division II state championship game, the Katy Tigers managed to do what no other team has and out-execute the Dragons over four quarters.  Some have pointed to the Tigers’ strong running game and ability to control the clock as reasons for the win, but even that wouldn’t have done it if not for second half heroics on special teams, the vertical passing game and on defense.  It took a total team effort over four complete quarters.

     Teams have played Carroll well for a half, three quarters and some have gone down to the wire.  However, none have been able to manage it for the full 48 minutes except Katy. 

     Despite the overall dominance, the paths to championship glory haven’t been without close calls.  In 2002, Carroll pulled out a tight 19-16 victory over Sam Houston.  Later in the semi-finals, Lufkin put the Dragons on the ropes in the third quarter and took a 30-14 lead behind the powerful running of Jorvorskie Lane.  Carroll dramatically overcame the definite to win 33-30 and move on to win the first state title.  Lubbock Monterey pushed Carroll to the brink in the 2003 regional semi-finals before the Dragons eventually won 38-31.  Abilene pushed into Carroll’s redzone with a chance to win at the end of their regional semi-final in 2004, but the Dragons intercepted a Taylor Potts pass into the redzone to preserve a 35-30 win.  Carroll again overcame nemesis Lufkin in the state semis, 37-30, and also needed a last second field goal to beat Smithson Valley in the state title game.  The 2005 nailbiter came against re-awakened powerhouse Plano.  The Wildcats were up by 10 through much of the first three quarters thanks to a stifling defense, but QB Greg McElroy and Carroll eventually broke though to claim victory.  And last season, before a record setting crowd in Texas Stadium, Trinity appeared to be closing in on victory until an enthralling final two minutes saw the Dragons emerge yet again as winners by a score of 22-21.

     The fact that Carroll’s been able to consistently win the tight games is a credit to their overall preparation and most of all to the players themselves.  It takes a very high degree of mental and physical stamina to stay focused when everything is on the line.  What Carroll does better than anyone else is limit their own mistakes as well as take advantage of errors the other teams make.  This is why it takes a complete effort to beat the Dragons.  It is not enough to be good in certain areas.  A team must be strong all-around because Carroll finds a way to exploit and capitalize on any weakness.  The Dragons will not beat themselves.

     Even with the coaching turnover the Dragons have experienced since Todd Dodge took the North Texas job, it would be very unwise to assume Carroll’s run of success is ended.  This is a program and community that’s been producing champions for a long time now.  Dodge was just getting into coaching when Carroll first staked its claim as a Texas high school football dynasty under legendary coach Bob Ledbetter.  Hal Wasson knows the program very well.  His son Chase quarterbacked the undefeated 2002 state championship team for the Dragons.  Wasson has 11 returning starters to mold the 2007 team around.

     Who has what it takes to beat the Dragons in 2007?  As mentioned above, it takes an all-around effort to beat a program as efficient and well run as Carroll has been this decade.  Each Dragon team that steps onto the field wants to uphold the “Protect the Tradition” motto, and this season will be no different. 

     Euless Trinity and Katy look like the highest quality 5A teams going into the season in addition to Carroll.  Both are very experienced when it comes to playing big games.  Both Trinity and Katy possess the ability to control the clock with powerful running games.  That’s an essential skill to have especially given the experience Carroll returns on offense this season.  Also, both return experience in the kicking game.  If there’s been any knock at all on Carroll during the last five seasons, it’s that they don’t have the most effective kicking game (punting, to be specific).  They’ve obviously not had to rely on that part of the game very much.

     It’s not enough to just control the clock against the Dragons.  They are too smart to be beaten by a one dimensional team, passing or running.  Trinity squandered scoring opportunities in their meeting with Carroll last season because they couldn’t offer a real change of pace from the running game aside from the occasional heave to Marcus King (graduated).  Katy returns its starting quarterback while Trinity is breaking in a new starter.  Defensively, both teams will be experienced in the secondary.  That is a definite must have against any effectively run spread.  Trinity returns more experience on the defensive line and Katy has the advantage at linebacker.  Of the two teams, Trinity has the much higher probability of facing Carroll due to the fact they are in the same region.  There is a strong chance both Carroll and Trinity end up in the Division 1 bracket again, and Katy is a virtual lock to go Division 2.

     Of course, it’s natural for elite programs such as Katy and Trinity to be singled out as having the best shot at giving Carroll their next loss but the truth of the matter is that strange things happen in this game and sometimes challenges come from sources no one expects.  For example, in 2005, Carroll held on for a 28-23 win over rivals Grapevine.  That’s arguably the best team Carroll’s fielded this decade, and yet they nearly lost to a Grapevine team that power ranking polls had them beating by 35 plus.

     One thing is certain, the next team that slays the Dragon, whether it happens this season or not, will need to put in a complete and near flawless four quarter effort.  Anything less than that is just not going to be good enough against this program right now.  However, sometimes the true challenges come from sources one would least expect so the pool of potential Dragon slayers isn’t necessarily limited to a handful of teams.  The Dragons are playing at a level currently that not many would have believed possible in this day and age with the ever increasing balance of talent around the state.  Once again, the road to the championship goes through Southlake and the challenge falls on the rest of Texas to pick up the gauntlet.