MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 7 Southlake Carroll

Hal Wasson captured National Coach of the Year honors in 2011 after guiding Carroll (Southlake, Texas) on an improbable state title run that saw the Dragons finish 16-0.

The state title, and subsequent Top 10 national ranking, reminded Southlake Carroll faithful of the Dragons dynasty that dominated the state during the mid-to-late 2000s.

With what the team has returning in 2012, repeating as champions is not out of the question.

Could this team start this decade’s Carroll dynasty?

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At the helm of the team’s offense is dynamic playmaker Kenny Hill. Committed to Texas A&M, Hill is an amazing commodity for the Dragons. It’s rare for the program to have such a talented and accomplished player back behind center. Hill gives Carroll leadership, experience and big-game experience.

The team also returns its top running back from a year ago, junior A.J. Ezzard, who rushed for 693 yards and seven scores in 2011.

With Peyton Williams and Sabian Holmes having moved on, the Dragons will need to find some threats on the outside.

Led by Cam Manning, three key offensive linemen return from last year’s squad, a crucial foundation that should allow the offense to click out of the gate.

Defensively, there are plenty of unknowns. The secondary boasts Tanner Jacobson and Ray Crockett, however, the linebacking unit will be entirely new, and that's a tall task given the level of competition Carroll plays.

Nose guard Nash Dickey provides some continuity up front on the defensive line for Carroll, which ranked No. 6 when MaxPreps named the Top 10 football dynasties in the nation.

Local look: “Facing the Dragons is like playing chess. They may not be the most athletic, fastest or high-caliber team out there, but their preparation and awareness of their surroundings helps them succeed. That will not change any time soon.”
- Christopher Lyke, owner, TexasHSFootball