Dragons ready as they can be for Trinity

Tulsa Union stood in for Euless Trinity.

When Southlake Carroll football head coach Hal Wasson put together the series with the East Oklahoma powerhouse for his 2016 non-district schedule, he did so because he wanted his team to recognize what it was going to be like facing a physical team similar to what the Dragons (3-1, 1-0) will see in the Trojans (4-0, 1-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Carroll’s Dragon Stadium. This is a battle of District 5-6A and Texas high school football titans. The first two district meetings have been decided by a total of six points. Each team won once.

“You really can’t simulate Trinity, but Union was as close as you’re going to get,” Wasson said. “They have really good skill guys. That’s what we’re going to see in the game.

“It was interesting because I had just finished watching the film. [Trinity] changes jerseys and everybody looks the same. You’ve got to be physical when you play them. It’s been a month since we played Union, but it helped.”

Carroll has the defensive front that should make a better showing than what happened in 2015 when the Trojans embarrassed the Dragons by rushing for 606 yards. Ja’Ron Wilson had 339 of them. Trinity, though, only managed to pull out a 37-35 victory.

The Dragon coaching staff, which made an extra push in the offseason on developing its defensive line for games like this, should have a stronger and much more savvy front. It should also be at full strength.

Defensive end Luke Jeter, who got dinged against Flower Mound, is expected to play. Ryan Miller was limited to playing only center last week after dealing with an ankle injury. He should see both sides of the ball. Defensive back Jacob Murphy should also be expected to play.

Yet in a game like this, it may not come down to what the defensive line can take away or limit. It’s going to come down to the back eight defenders in Carroll’s 3-4 look.

“The front is always important,” Wasson said. “But what Trinity does well is find the guy in the second or third level they want to come after. They can put an offensive lineman on the defensive line and move the line of scrimmage. Then they can get one-on-one and make those guys play football.”

Carroll has allowed an average of 167 rushing yards per game. But the Dragons surrendered more than 200 yards twice – Union and Rockwall. The Trojans are averaging 265 yards per game. Courage Keihn has rushed for 496 yards (7.5 per carry). As odd as it sounds, Carroll will give itself a chance to win this game should it keep the Trojans right at their average.

Notable: Senior safety/wide receiver Robert Barnes, who was held out of the Flower Mound game due to an undisclosed injury, is expected to return Friday…Carroll’s game against Trinity can be heard on KWRD 100.7 FM Friday with the pregame show starting at 6:30 p.m.

Update

Colleyville Heritage (2-2, 1-0 8-5A): Injuries to quarterback Cam Roane and wide receivers Ke’Von Ahmad and Germon Thothian forced them to leave Friday’s game against Fort Worth Dunbar early. Neither returned. Their status for homecoming against Fort Worth Eastern Hills (2-2, 0-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium will be determined by the middle of the week, head coach Joe Willis said. However, there’s a strong chance backup quarterback Landry French will at least see more playing time…Defensive back Marcus Moseley (undisclosed) returned to the lineup last week.

Grapevine (4-0, 1-0 8-5A): The Mustangs face Fort Worth Dunbar (0-4, 0-1) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mustang-Panther Stadium. Grapevine has already collected 1,916 yards of total offense through its first four games.

This story was originally published September 26, 2016 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Dragons ready as they can be for Trinity."