Riley Dodge, Carroll Dragons look to cement legacy in Southlake’s storied football history
When it comes to football tradition, few Texas towns match Southlake’s storied football history.
The Southlake Carroll Dragons have three national titles and eight state championships, the fifth most in Texas high school football history. “Protect the tradition” is a mantra the program and community hold to heart.
Southlake Carroll (15-0) will face Austin Vandegrift (14-1) at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at AT&T Stadium in the Class 6A Division Two state championship. The Dragons, in a state semifinal victory over Longview, hit a walk-off field goal to advance.
Although Carroll has a resume as a Texas football powerhouse, it’s been 13 years since the Dragons’ last state championship victory.
The big one has evaded the Dragons, yet they’ve stayed at the top. Since the 2011 championship season, Southlake Carroll has an impressive 159-22 overall record while winning 10 or more games every season.
If there is anyone who understands Carroll’s storied history, it is current head coach and athletic director Riley Dodge, who was hired in 2018.
Riley Dodge, the son of legendary coach Todd Dodge, won three state championships as a player. He was named the Texas High School Player of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
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When he accepted the job, Riley Dodge had big shoes to fill and high expectations to match, considering his father’s state championship success. At Southlake Carroll, the Dodge name is associated with greatness.
Riley Dodge lived up to the Carroll standard with a wildly successful tenure, posting an overall record of 92-8 while never losing more than two games in a single season. In 2019, Dodge was named the Tom Landry Coach of the Year and the Texas 6A Coach of the Year in 2020.
In that 2020 season, Riley Dodge led Southlake Carroll to the state championship, where the Dragons met a familiar face: Todd Dodge. In a state championship that pitted father vs. son, Todd Dodge and Austin Westlake won.
In Riley Dodge’s seven seasons leading the Dragons, the program has accomplished everything, but there is one exception: Win the last game of the year.
In 2023, Southlake Carroll came close, narrowly falling to eventual state champion DeSoto 45-38 in the state semifinals.
Now, the Dragons and Riley Dodge have another championship opportunity in a season where they’ve had to win hard-fought games, gain experience, and endure season-ending injuries to key players.
“It means everything, but the job is not done,” Riley Dodge said. “For us, it can’t just be about saying ‘we made it.’ ... We’ve got to make sure we put the work in.”
Southlake Carroll’s path to AT&T Stadium
Compared to the 2023, Southlake Carroll’s 2024 roster was young and lacked experience. The Dragons returned four starters on offense and only one on defense.
“Going into the offseason, I didn’t know what type of football team we would have,” Dodge said. “We were so young. This is a brand new ballclub. ... But it’s a group that has grown up a Carroll Dragon, so they know what it takes.”
Carroll has also had injuries to returners, which has created even more opportunities for young players to seize. Junior kicker Gavin Strange is one of those players; he has spent his entire life waiting to play at the highest level with the Dragons.
“Your whole life, you watch the Carroll Dragons saying, ‘Man, I want to be them one day,’” Strange said. “Now, I am one of them. It’s the best feeling in the world. And you get to play for those young kids looking up to you.”
After a thrilling 56-48 victory over Euless Trinity in September, Dodge said the team was “learning through the process.”
With a state title appearance on deck, it’s safe to say Southlake Carroll’s younger group has veteran instincts, and they prove it with an ability to win close games.
In the area round, the Dragons defeated Wolfforth Frenship 49-42 and followed it up with a 42-37 victory over Hebron. They battled from behind, recording a 56-45 win over Denton Guyer.
To punch a ticket to the state championship, Strange hit the walk-off field goal vs. Longview, a team that trounced defending champion DeSoto 50-14.
The young players who started the season are now experienced upperclassmen who have scratched and clawed their way to playoff victories ahead of a title game.
In the 2023 season, Carroll’s playoff wins were by 31 points or more. The 2024 Dragons’ last four playoff victories, in a grueling gauntlet, have been by an average of 6.5 points.
“People say ‘prove ‘em wrong,’’ Strange said. “No. We’re going to prove ourselves right. ... Yeah, we’re juniors. Yeah, we’re young. But that just makes it all the more sweeter when you beat them.”
Southlake Carroll’s Players to Watch
Junior quarterback Angelo Renda is in his first year as the Dragons’ starter. He has thrown for 3,550 yards and 36 touchdowns with nine interceptions. He also had 644 and 14 touchdowns on the ground, which has been extremely helpful considering the Dragons’ injuries at running back.
Division One running back recruits Riley Wormley and Davis Penn, also known as the “two-headed Dragon”, are both out for the season.
Senior utility man Christian Glenn, previously a wide receiver, stepped up and accepted running duties. He has tallied 510 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
“In our program, we talk about next man up mentality,” Dodge said. “You find a way.”
Junior wide receiver Brock Boyd, a three-star TCU commit, is putting together an incredible season. He has 1,690 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns on 98 receptions. He is averaging 17.2 yards per catch and 112.7 yards per game.
“This group is resilient,” Riley Dodge said. “They’re young. They’re banged up. They just keep finding a way. ... I’m super proud of the kids.”
This story was originally published December 18, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
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