Southlake Carroll can counter-punch with the best of them.
The Dragons weathered a quick start from Allen Saturday at North Texas University’s Apogee Stadium in Denton to claim a decisive 47-21 win in the Class 6A Division I state quarterfinals.
Head coach Riley Dodge’s Dragons (14-0) saw Eagles quarterback Mike Hawkins find a seam for a 75-yard rushing score on Allen’s first play from scrimmage, and Carroll went three-and-out on its first possession.
The Dragons’ defense quickly settled into the game, and Carroll quarterback Kaden Anderson later found Landon Samson for an 18-yard touchdown strike that knotted the score at 7-7. Defensive back Ayvonne Jones picked off a deflected pass moments later and returned it for a 32-yard TD that appeared to turn the tide.
The Dragons struck for 34 consecutive points before Allen (11-3) snapped its drought with a late second-quarter scoring toss from Hawkins to Jacob Brasher that made it a 34-14 game at the half.
Carroll running back Owen Allen, who led the Dragons with 143 yards on 30 carries, supplied three rushing TDs during his team’s second-quarter surge.
Using a bend-but-don’t-break style, Carroll’s defense turned aside the Eagles’ second-half comeback bid by forcing two turnovers on downs. Allen also missed a field goal try after driving into Dragon territory.
Anderson later notched a 8-yard TD run that iced the win, and James Lehman capped Carroll’s scoring with a 6-yard score.
The Dragons, who were denied a state title by Westlake last season, have now won 26 of their past 27 contests. Carroll awaits the winner of the other 6A-DI state semifinal between Duncanville and DeSoto.
photos by: Pat Carrigan
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