Right after Southlake Carroll coach Riley Dodge was named the Executive Director of Athletics at Carroll ISD, the Dragons defeated the Byron Nelson 33-21 in a District 4-6A contest on Friday night at Dragon Stadium. The loss was sweet vengeance for Carroll, who previously fell 34-17 to Bobcats last season for the district crown. The win was Byron Nelson’s only victory in the district rivalry; they now fall to 1-9 all-time against the Dragons.
Byron Nelson started hot, seizing the opening kick and driving it 81 yards in 12 plays, completed with a six-yard scoring jaunt by running back Tucker James. The undefeated Dragons responded promptly, embarking on an eight-play, 75-yard of their own, capped off by a swing pass by quarterback Angelo Renda to Baylor commit Dallas Penn, who raced eight yards and tied the game with 4:04 left.
A few critical errors by the Bobcats—including a crucial fumble recovered by Dragon linebacker Marcus Brouse at the Carroll 26—had Byron Nelson in a hole entering halftime; it didn’t get much better for the Bobcats in the second half, only managing three possessions and scoring just once more.
The Dragons accumulated 397 yards of total offense behind USC commit Riley Wormley scrambling for 140 yards and two touchdowns; quarterback Angelo Renda also pitched in two touchdown passes.
The results of the match were overshadowed by the news that Carroll’s athletic coordinator coach Dodge will oversee all athletic programs at Carroll ISD. He is taking over from executive director Steve Keasler, who is departing for UNT. Coach Dodge will keep his job as head football coach; he is the ninth athletic director in CISD history. Coach Dodge celebrated his promotion with his fourth consecutive season with his alma mater starting 3-0.
Southlake Carroll continues their district schedule at Trinity on Friday. Byron Nelson will try and get back in the winning column, when they host Trinity in two weeks.
