Wasson has high praise for Cedar Hill

Hal Wasson made a pretty bold proclamation following Carroll’s 62-42 Class 6A Division II Region I loss to Cedar Hill.

“That’s the most talented team I’ve seen in a long time,” Wasson said. “They have the most talented personnel in the country. Not the state, the country.”

And it’s not hard to see why. The Longhorns advanced to the state semifinals with a rushing attack that pretty much did whatever it wanted against an outmanned Carroll squad. Cedar Hill rushed for 578 yards. But is also didn’t help when Carroll lost senior Andy Chelf to a knee injury in the second quarter.

Aca’Cedric Ware led the way with 283 yards, followed by Denvre Daniels’ 155. Simply put, Carroll did not have an answer.

“They have eight starters on offense that have been to the state championship game in the last two years,” Wasson said. “They are beatable. But you have got to beat them. It’s really hard to get a break against them.”

As much as Carroll couldn’t stop the run, it also couldn’t run it very well as it was limited to 92 yards. Junior running back Lil’Jordan Humphrey was held to 37 yards.

“They’re animals up front,” Wasson said. “When you play a big team that has depth and is stronger bigger and faster, it’s really tough. In today’s football world, you have to run the football.”

Two pivotal moments

Carroll led 14-13 in the middle of the second quarter and stopped Cedar Hill when it went for it on fourth down on its 39. The Dragons took over at the Cedar Hill 34 but came away with nothing as quarterback Ryan Agnew’s pass into the end zone fell incomplete.

The other turning point occurred in the middle of the fourth quarter. Cedar Hill clung to a 47-42 lead and used a fake punt on its 40. Demarcie Perry appeared to be stopped a bit short. However, the controversial measurement and ruling gave the Longhorns a first down at their 45. Two plays later, Ware broke off a 54-yard touchdown run to put the game away at 55-42.

“The [official] on my side said he couldn’t see it,” Wasson said. “Whatever that means; I don’t know. Unfortunately, that’s part of the game. You can’t concern yourself over what happened. You have to keep playing.”

A quick wrap

Carroll finished its season at 13-1 with a squad that probably did more than anyone could have imagined. Remember, this team won five games – Austin Westlake, Tulsa (Okla.) Union, Coppell, Euless Trinity and Mansfield – where it either took the lead or had to hang on inside the final two minutes.

With the last of the Agnews gone (Ryan is a senior) it would appear the offense belongs to backup QB Montana Murphy. He will have a good running combination returning in Humphrey and Grant McFarlin.

“I couldn’t be any more proud of the coaches and players and the incredible job they did,” Wasson said. “I told our players, ‘you made my dream come true. You overcame and did more than I ever imagined we could.’ The reality is we got a lot of mileage out of this group.”

Wasson deflects AD talk

With Kevin Ozee’s tenure now over, Carroll’s search for his successor begins in earnest. Wasson deflected interest when asked about it.

“I honestly haven’t put any serious thought into it,” he said. “I love being with the coaches and the kids. That’s my motivation. I haven’t been approached or asked about it. I’ve been so consumed with the season.”

This story was originally published December 8, 2014 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Wasson has high praise for Cedar Hill."