In a program known for offense, Southlake Carroll’s defense is a game changer
Southlake Carroll is known for wickedly talented, state-leading, effective offenses — and that certainly remains the case this season.
But the difference-maker, and what arguably makes the Dragons (14-0) the No. 1-ranked high school football team in Texas, is an ascending defense that has matched the offense’s energy and production. As a result, the Dragons are more well-rounded than ever before.
In 2024, the Dragons allowed 22 points per game. This season, Carroll’s defense has greatly improved, conceding 131 total points and 9.3 points per game ahead of a Class 6A Division II state semifinal against DeSoto (11-3) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Newsom Stadium.
“We have an amazing defensive staff and amazing kids,” Carroll head coach Riley Dodge said. “It was them caring to get it fixed in certain ways. We were really good in certain ways last year, but we knew we had to get better. But it definitely helps when you have a lot of kids that come back and understand what we’re trying to accomplish and our scheme.”
Kicker, punter also play big roles on defense
In a state quarterfinal clash Saturday, it seemed Denton Guyer’s Aiden Martens had an easy touchdown.
It would’ve been easy for Southlake Carroll defensive back Gavin Strange to give up on the play, given he had a fair amount of ground to make up.
But he didn’t.
Strange sprinted toward Martens, getting just enough leverage to dive at his feet to barely make a terrific tackle just shy of the end zone. On the next play, Guyer had a bad snap, and defensive back Parker Harris recovered, making Strange’s hustle highlight worthwhile.
The play that Dodge called a “Dragon Maker” saved a TD.
That championship-caliber dive from Strange captures the heart and soul of what Southlake Carroll’s rising defense has accomplished throughout this season. That grit can push a team over the championship hump.
But what is “strange” about Strange is that defensive back isn’t even his primary position. He was recruited by Duke as a kicker, and signed during the early period. Chris Sailer, a specialist recruitment and kicking expert, ranks Strange as the No. 2 kicker in the class of 2026, getting Sailer’s maximum six-star rating.
“It’s just kind of second nature to me at this point,” Strange said. “I stay after practice to kick after, so I don’t waste my safety reps. I find time. It’s tough, but I can do it. And I love it.”
It’s a rarity to have a highly recruited specialist who contributes on defense, and the Dragons have two of them. Zac Hayes, who recently signed with TCU, serves as a punter and defensive end. Sailer ranks him as the No. 2 punter in the nation, and he has also made 21 tackles this season.
“He is a beast of a punter, too,” Strange said. “One of the best athletes I’ve ever seen.”
Dodge said that at the Class 6A level, it’s a pretty unique thing to have such versatility from specialists.
“And they’re some of our better defensive players, too,” Dodge said. “They’re just great athletes. Obviously, super skilled in the kicking game. Makes me feel a lot better as a head coach when guys play a lot of defense, so the moment is not too big for them when they get out there.”
More players behind the production
The communication and efficiency of the defense start with a trio of dangerous senior linebackers: Robbie Ladd, William Leins and Marcus Brouse.
They’ve combined for a staggering 237 tackles.
“Defensively, our guys aren’t afraid to communicate,” Dodge said. “To talk to each other. I think that’s one thing we struggled with last year. Guys were afraid to communicate or afraid to be wrong. Our guys will communicate, and they’re not afraid to hurt each other’s feelings. We have short-term memory.”
Bringing the pressure is defensive lineman Crawford Taylor, who leads the team with 10.5 sacks. The Dragons keep offenses on their toes with exotic blitzes, and Taylor is a key component in breaking down the protection.
In total, the Dragons have 24 takeaways, and defensive backs Austin Bussmann and Harris lead in that department with four each.
The defense might not have the same pedigree as an offense jam-packed with three- and four-star talent, but recruiting rankings haven’t stopped it from molding into a cohesive unit, one operating with championship-level efficiency and elite teamwork. That, ultimately, is what wins football games.
You can rattle off plenty of others who have made key contributions, from defensive back William Chen to defensive lineman Jake Lucky. The list is long, and that’s the point: Every piece of this group does his job, carries his weight and fits seamlessly into a greater whole.
“That defense — they work their tails off during the week and in the film room,” Dodge said. “We have a lot of buy-in right now.”
Leading the charge: Lee Munn
When Dodge was hired as Carroll’s head coach in 2018, his first move was bringing in Lee Munn as defensive coordinator.
“I needed to bring in a veteran DC,” Dodge recalled. “That has notches in his belt. So, I brought in some big-time DCs across the state of Texas to come interview with me. ... When Lee Munn walked out the door, it was no question who the defensive coordinator would be.”
Similar to Dodge, Munn was 29 years old when he started at Carroll. He had never been a DC, but Dodge put his belief in him after Munn spent several years as an assistant under Dodge’s father, Todd, at Austin Westlake and Marble Falls.
“He is one of the best teachers of the game that I’ve ever been around,” Dodge said. “He is going to be an amazing head coach.”
Several players raved about Munn, mentioning the immense amount of work it takes to prepare the defense for game day.
“You can’t say enough about Coach Munn and the rest of the staff,” defensive back Luke Bussmann said. “The amount of hours they put in — words can’t do it justice.”
The spark behind the defense
What has sparked the defensive improvement? Continuity, familiarity and experience help — the Dragons returned 19 starters, nine of which were on defense. The group also entered the season with a chip on its shoulder.
Harris, who has three interceptions and has also contributed as a running back, didn’t hold back when discussing last season.
“Honestly, we were pretty bad last year,” Harris said. “So, we decided we’ve got to switch it up and not let our offense do all the work. We set the bar high this year, and now people are talking about the defense.”
To Hays, the will to win has sparked growth. To be the team that gets Southlake Carroll back to the top for the first time since 2011 is a historic opportunity in a town that highly values a winning football tradition. The Dragons lost to Austin Vandegrift 24-17 in the state championship game last year.
“We just want to be great at everything we do,” Hays said. “Obviously, last year stung really bad. And we want to get everything done this year. It’s really just the drive and the determination.”
The dedication and experience are obviously helpful, but to multiple players, those aren’t necessarily the reasons why the group is thriving. Several players mentioned an on-field chemistry that reflects the bonds they’ve built off the field.
“The biggest thing for us in the love we have for each other,” Strange said. “It’s the tightest locker room I’ve ever been a part of. Everyone loves each other. No beef going on.”
Those connections lead to trust, and for a growing defense, that trust led to communication, the foundation of success. Containing DeSoto’s offense is a tall task, but Strange is confident his teammates will continue doing their jobs.
“I think we need to keep trusting each other,” Strange said. “Your boy has your back, so you do your job. And hopefully we can keep this up.”
.jpg)