Female kicker makes history in Southlake Carroll’s victory over Colleyville Heritage
It just seemed like lightning struck twice at Dragon Stadium Friday night.
That second bolt was Southlake Carroll, which rolled over Colleyville Heritage, 42-17, in a non-district game that featured a two-hour lightning delay and the historic debut of a female kicker for the Dragons.
Senior Madison Martin kicked all six extra points for Carroll, becoming the first female in the history of Carroll football to score. Martin also became one of just a handful of females to appear on a varsity football game in Texas.
The Dragons needed just two plays after the opening kickoff to score on their way to building a 28-0 halftime lead. Running back T.J. McDaniel scored Carroll’s first and third TDs on short runs, but the other four scores came on big plays.
Carroll QB Will Bowers scored on a 36-yard run and also threw a 28-yard TD to Wills Meyer. WR Patrick Traynor scored a 47-yard trick play, while Brandon Howell returned a fumble 79 yards for a TD.
Carroll earned its first 2-0 start since 2014, while Heritage dropped to 1-1. The teams have met 11 times in the last 15 seasons, with Carroll winning all 11 by an average of 30 points.
Game was over when: Thanks to a lightning delay, the game started two hours after the scheduled 7 p.m. start. It was all Dragons from the very beginning as they needed 21 seconds to score. A long opening kickoff and a late-hit penalty gave Carroll the ball on Heritage’s 28. First play from scrimmage was a 27-yard pass from Bowers to John Manero, then a one-yard TD run by McDaniel.
Play of the game: The Dragons scored on a trick play with 50 seconds left in the first half to take a 28-0 lead. Bowers handed off to McDaniel running wide right. McDaniel handed off to Traynor on the reverse. Traynor was able to turn the corner and raced 47 yards down the left sideline for a TD.
Offensive player of the game: Bowers was the star of the game, running the show at quarterback. He completed 17 passes for 169 yards and a TD, plus rushed eight times for 90 yards and another score.
Defensive player of the game: Carroll junior defensive back Brandon Howell returned a fumble recovery 79 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter. The TD pushed the Dragon’s lead to 42-7.
Unsung hero of the game: Senior Madison Martin became the first female in the history of Carroll football to score a point. Martin – who goes by Madi – made all six of her PAT attempts. Martin is a record-setting goalkeeper for the Carroll girl’s soccer team.
Moment of the game: Martin kicked her way into history 21 seconds and four plays into the game, converting on an extra point after McDaniel’s TD. Few in the crowd, smaller than usual because of the weather, noticed.
Stat of the game: Heritage lost the game, but it wasn’t because the Panthers didn’t move the football. They outgained the Dragons, 480-397, in total yardage and had more first downs, 23-20.
Big picture outlook: Heritage, expected to be a 5A power this season, will have to regroup. Carroll shows that it will be a serious threat under first-year coach Riley Dodge after a dominating victory.
What’s next? Heritage travels to Pennington Field to play Euless Trinity at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13. Carroll will host West Texas powerhouse Odessa Permian at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 14.