Entering district play two weeks ago, Carroll (6-1 overall, 2-0 in district) started off by facing a Coppell team that came in 5-0 after non-district competition. That was better than the Dragons’ 4-1 record at the time. Last week, Carroll faced Marcus, a team that was 4-1 and 1-0 in district, as both teams opened the week before with convincing wins over its opponents.
Now, after weathering the storm of heavy competition two weeks in a row, the Dragons must prepare for yet another threatening team in Flower Mound (6-1, 2-0), also vying to maintain a first-place standing in district, when the teams meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
"They’re very productive throwing the football, and very productive offensively," Carroll football coach Hal Wasson said of the Jaguars, a team that defeated Hebron by a touchdown in its first district game before stomping Lewisville by a 55-28 final last week. "We need to play very well and have a big game on defense.
"I feel like we’re ready."
So far, the Dragons’ defense has proven itself to be ready, with a penchant for putting high octane offenses in its place. Against Plano West, the No. 2 offense statistically in the area this season, Carroll tamed the Wolves in a 49-20 victory. The Dragons have also faced Arlington (No. 5 offensively in the area) and Coppell (No. 16), holding those opponents to 14 and six points, respectively, in one-sided victories.
Enter Flower Mound, a team ranked No. 10 offensively (421.2 yards per game) that has scored an average of 38.4 points per game through seven games. The Jaguars’ attack is spearheaded by quarterback Paul Millard, who’s passed for 2,115 yards and 24 touchdowns, while throwing only six interceptions.
Millard’s favorite target has been versatile running back Hunter Lee, who has 43 catches for 481 yards and five touchdowns to go with 499 yards and six scores rushing. Receivers Josh Brake and Hunter Miller both have over 400 yards receiving as well.
Wasson knows that last year’s Jaguars started off like gangbusters as well, entering 6-5A with a 5-0 record before fading with a 1-4 slide through district to miss the playoffs. However, Wasson said he doesn’t believe that this is the same Flower Mound team that buckled in district last year.
"The big notable win for them was against Plano East, an undefeated team over in that district," Wasson said of this year’s version of the Jaguars. "Their only loss was to DeSoto, a very good football team. So Flower Mound’s a strong football team and I think they’re a better team than they even were last year."
Dragons Gaining Momentum
If anyone had doubts that Carroll could continue its great start upon entering district, the Dragons’ first two 6-5A wins against quality opponents should put that concern to rest.
Carroll’s impressive play on both offense and defense on Oct. 16 helped the Dragons knock out a Marcus team that kept crawling back into the contest. Carroll posted a 41-30 victory after leading 21-10 at the half.
Dragons quarterback David Piland was the biggest catalyst for his team, completing 23-of-24 passes for 293 yards and two touchdowns. The senior’s only miscues were one pass that was just outside the grasp of his intended receiver and a first quarter interception.
"Offensively, we played lights out," said Piland, a University of Houston commit. "Right after [the first drive], I knew there was no shot of them stopping us. It was so clean and I wasn’t having to force anything, really."
The game with Marcus marked the anniversary of when Piland became a starter as a junior last year, as former starter Kyle Padron broke his hand and missed the rest of the 2008 season. Piland led his team in a second-half comeback victory that time, but put on a show this time around as well.
"They always say, 'This was your game last year. See if you can live up to it,’" Piland said. "I don’t know. I just came out and it was a deja vu type of thing."
Foster Goes for Record
Carroll place kicker Cade Foster will likely have several chances to set the all-time record for most PAT’s in Texas high school football history, currently held by Celina’s Jared Martin. The Dragons hope it happens early in their game with Flower Mound on Friday.
Foster had the chance to set the record after his team’s final touchdown of the contest against Marcus, but a bad snap prevented the four-year letterman from making history. Wasson doesn’t think the miss or the impending milestone will serve as a distraction for the kicker.
"I don’t think that’s a distraction at all," Wasson said. "He just needs one point to break the record. He’s an outstanding young man and he’s trained and worked very hard to get to where he is."
Carroll (6-1, 2-0 in 6-5A) vs. Flower Mound (6-1, 2-0 in 6-5A)
7:30 p.m. Friday
Neal Wilson Stadium, Flower Mound
Prediction: Carroll 49, Flower Mound 31. Although the Dragons face a tough Jaguars’ offense, the Dragons defense has shown the ability to make stops when needed against strong attacks. Flower Mound’s defense is not strong enough to slow down Carroll.
Result: www.southlakejournal.com
"They always say, 'This was your game last year. See if you can live up to it.’ I don’t know. I just came out and it was a deja vu type of thing."
— Carroll quarterback David Piland
Get the full version of this article at The Southlake Journal and full Southlake news at www.southlakejournal.com.
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