Wanted: Next generation of Dragons football playmakers

With spring football pushed back a week, the Carroll Dragons are only halfway through their work.

Head coach Hal Wasson has been encouraged by the progression to this point. This team is a bit stronger. The consistency continues. But this spring is also critical for a program that is looking for offensive playmakers at running back and receiver to complement quarterback Mason Holmes. The Dragons are coming off a 9-3 season in which they advanced to the Class 6A Region I Division II area round before falling to Denton Guyer, 48-35.

“Overall, it’s been a good spring,” Wasson said. “I like the chemistry and the work ethic that we have shown. The big thing is that we need our personalities to flourish. That’s what I’m looking forward to with this team for the next two weeks.

“Tackling is about consistency. Our defensive team has shown to be really physical. I want this team to live in the present and develop that unique personality.”

Whether or not that happens during the final two weeks of the spring may not matter. Of course, there’s an entire summer in front this group in terms of 7-on-7, linemen work and the summer conditioning program. Carroll began to lay the foundation in the offseason with the Dragon Maker program.

A deep secondary

While senior safety and Oklahoma commit Robert Barnes will earn most of the attention, Carroll’s 2016 secondary could be one of the better ones to come through Southlake. And that’s saying something considering Texas signee Obi Eboh was patrolling that group for the previous three years.

The spring work wasn’t working at full speed as safety Jake Murphy was playing baseball. With that season over after the Dragons lost to Lewisville Hebron in the Class 6A Region I area playoffs, Murphy will return this week full time.

Senior Zion Sales should have one of the cornerback positions locked down. The other cornerback position should see some intense competition between Hayden Hayes, Shaun Broadway and Darrell Crockett.

Looking for WR/RB

The Dragons lost their top receivers in Zach Farrar, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Shemar Coleman and Kameron Duhon to graduation. The most experienced pass catcher is Clayton Keyes, who caught five passes in 2015. Jackson Davis saw some time on the varsity but didn’t record a reception. One other player the coaching staff is looking at is Cade Bell. He has been slowed by a muscle injury but was expected to return this week.

There’s somewhat of a similar situation at running back. With Jack Johansson, who was fifth on the team in rushing attempts with 28 in 2015, dealing with an injury, most of the carries have gone to Barrett Buck.

This is obviously one of those elements where a team traditionally heavy with seniors experiences massive losses to graduation. So the key is finding other players who will be ready to transition into playmaking roles. More evaluation is needed.

Notable

Holmes can no longer be considered undersized. He’s now grown to reach 6-1, 190.

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 6:52 PM with the headline "Wanted: Next generation of Dragons football playmakers."