SEASON OUTLOOK
Carroll has plenty of tough opponents in the state of Texas. No need to travel out of state.
Photo by Jim Redman
Allen. For as solid as Carroll should be this fall, it could lose its season opener to rival Allen. The game will mark the debut of Allen’s much-ballyhooed, $60 million stadium, which should draw an enormous crowd. It will be a great test for Carroll’s young defense, one that could set the tone for the season.
Question mark: Does Carroll have enough firepower on offense to take the load off Hill and Ezzard? Wasson likes the young players who should fill in at wide receiver, but a true difference-maker will have to emerge from the inexperienced unit if Carroll hopes to repeat as state champions.
Cam Manning will be tasked with protecting Hill andhelping the run game prosper.
Photo by Jim Redman
Cedar Hill should be much improved from the team that Carroll hammered 40-7 in the playoffs last season. Arlington Martin, which Carroll held off in the regional final, returns some of its top skill players and could be a factor again. Of course, Euless Trinity will also be lurking in the Class 5A-I Region I playoff bracket.
Overall outlook: One of the most underappreciated aspects to the 2012 Carroll team is that in 2011, it played a whopping 16 games thanks to its six playoff wins. Those were six games where the team improved, matured and became more cohesive. With key players back on both sides of the ball, Carroll should hit the ground running in 2012. Its combination of returning stars, top-notch coaching and enviable fan and community support is a recipe for another deep playoff run this fall.
Coach quote: “We know the expectations here, and more importantly, our players know that. Again, we’re a work in progress here. Our players came in with that mindset again, know they’ve got a lot of work to do to play at that level, and they’ve jumped right in. Our coaches have done a great job. It’s one of those things, we’ve enjoyed the championship, that target just gets bigger."
- Hal Wasson
