The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to many Texas high school football blue bloods. Allen, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Euless Trinity to name a few. Southlake Carroll is also in that category and have still shown to be one of the top teams in the state.
However, the Dragons are looking to get clear a hurdle that’s tripped them up the last two seasons: the area round. That’s where their season ended in 2015 against Denton Guyer and this past year to state champion DeSoto.
As the Dragons prepare for 2017, the phrase “We don’t rebuild, we reload” is the hopeful team under head coach Hal Wasson and the Dragons. They will have many new faces playing key roles next year, but there will definitely be loads of talent.
Key Losses
QB Mason Holmes, RB Audricke Gaines, LB John Miscoll, DB Eric Spitler, K/P Kole Ramage
There are five names on this list but this list could be much, much longer. The Dragons have to replace a number of starters on both sides of the ball so there is no doubt.
We’ll start on the offensive side of the ball. Mason Holmes was named District 5-6A MVP this past season, throwing for 2,371 yards and 16 touchdowns despite battling injuries. His toughness and leadership will be crucial for Southlake Carroll to replace.
Carroll also has to replace their top four leading rushers from 2016, including leader Audricke Gaines. Gaines led the Dragons with 1,524 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2016 and was an integral part of a rushing attack that averaged more than 250 yards on the ground per game. He, along with Robert Sledge, Jack Johansson, and Holmes are all gone for next season so the rushing attack will look very different.
Linebacker John Miscoll was the leading tackler for the Dragons in 2016 and one of their steady forces in the middle of the defense. He finished 2016 with 106 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. He and Eric Spitler were all over the field for the Dragons. As a defensive back, Spitler finished with 73 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and four sacks. They were just two of several playmakers on the defensive side of the ball that will have to be replaced next season.
Finally, special teams was a big part of the Dragons’ success. Kole Ramage averaged just under 40 yards a punt and was a perfect 9 for 9 in field goal attempts and made all but one extra point. In high school football, having a reliable kicker is a huge plus and the Dragons will miss that from the future Arkansas baseball signee.
Key Returners
LB Matt Werner, LB Jacob Doddridge, CB R.J. Mickens, RB Tavian Gould, QB Will Bowers
For what the Dragons lose on defense, they return some good playmakers at linebacker in Matt Werner and Jacob Doddrige.
Werner was the second leading tackler this season with 89 tackles. He also played a big role in pass defense with four deflections and Wasson will ask more of the rising senior next season. Doddridge finished with 54 tackles but was tied for the team lead in tackles for loss (11). Expect him to take on a bigger role next season, no matter where he lines up.
As a freshman, cornerback R.J. Mickens has a very bright future ahead of him. The son of former NFL cornerback Ray Mickens collected 36 tackles, 13 pass deflections, and three interceptions. College recruiters are keeping a close eye on him and he’ll be a fun player to watch in that defense next year.
On offense, Tavian Gould is the leading rusher coming back next year. With much of the production gone from last year’s offense, he will be looked on to carry the load next season while quarterback Will Bowers will mostly likely be called upon as next year’s starter. He saw action in eight games this season as Holmes’s backup.
Verdict
Southlake Carroll should be very good once again next year, but when you lose as much talent as they are this year, there is some question as to how far they can go. They are certainly capable of reloading and I think that will carry them to another postseason trip.
It might take some time for the new starters to get used to their roles, but the Dragons should be in good hands under Hal Wasson as they try to make a deep run into the 6A playoffs.
Carroll loses 5 senior OL/DL starters with D1 offers – Green, Jeter, Kling, Miller, and Semrak.