Southlake Times > News
The Killers of Keller; Dragons win 56-7
BY: Matthew Costa
Staff Writer
KELLER--The formula for success stayed the same for the Southlake Carroll Dragons (7-1, 5-0 in district 4-5A), who once again started fast and kept the pressure on in a 56-7 road victory over the Keller Indians (2-6, 2-3 in district 4-5A) Thursday night.
"We knew it'd be a hostile environment at their place on homecoming," said senior quarterback Kenny Hill. "It was a big game for both of us. We just tried to come out hot and we came out with a win."
The Dragons received the opening kickoff and traveled the length of the field in a flash. Using under two minutes of game time, Hill was able to drive his offense 75 yards in 5 plays to put Carroll in front 7-0, following a 53-yard run by the Texas A&M commit.
The defense would follow suit, recovering a fumble on the Indians' first drive, and giving the Dragons another chance to score. Carroll would once again rely on Hill's legs to put the points on the board as he carried the ball over the goal line for a second time in the first quarter to double the Dragons' lead to 14-0.
Hill kept his streak of big first halves alive, passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns, along with another 94 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground.
The first passing touchdown of the game came after Keller's special teams pushed the Dragons' offense deep inside their own territory. Hill connected with junior running back A.J. Ezzard twice on screen passes to set up a 24-yard pass to Keaton Duhon. The junior receiver broke away from an Indian defender and leapt over the goal line for his second score on the year, putting his team in front 21-0.
Following Hill's third rushing score, Keller's offense showed life with a 13-play drive, spanning over five minutes of game time. Junior running back Dalton Mills found wide receiver Cameron Martin alone for the touchdown, as the Indians' offense found a way to score against the Dragons' defense.
Carroll did not seem to care much for the 28-7 score, nor the onside kick attempt that followed. After the Dragons recovered the kick, Hill needed one play to find senior receiver Mike Gardiner along the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown strike and a 35-7 halftime lead.
"We had the wind behind us so we knew we'd be throwing," Hill said of the drive. "Mike just came open on the crossing route and he made a sick play to stay in bounds."
It was much of the same for Carroll in the second half, as Ezzard added two more scores in the third quarter on consecutive drives to push the Dragons' lead to 49-7.
Ezzard showed the same form he has displayed all season long, rushing for 64 yards on 13 carries to go along with his two touchdowns.
The Dragons brought in the reserves after the third quarter, and the defense shut down the Indians' chances in the final frame, winning 56-7.
"We have tremendous respect for Keller," said Hal Wasson, Carroll head coach. "We needed to see a physical brand of football and that's what they brought. I'm proud of our guys for remaining consistent and focused throughout."
Carroll will need to keep its focus as the Dragons look to win their final home game Friday at 7:30 p.m. versus Keller Fossil Ridge.
KELLER--The formula for success stayed the same for the Southlake Carroll Dragons (7-1, 5-0 in district 4-5A), who once again started fast and kept the pressure on in a 56-7 road victory over the Keller Indians (2-6, 2-3 in district 4-5A) Thursday night.
"We knew it'd be a hostile environment at their place on homecoming," said senior quarterback Kenny Hill. "It was a big game for both of us. We just tried to come out hot and we came out with a win."
The Dragons received the opening kickoff and traveled the length of the field in a flash. Using under two minutes of game time, Hill was able to drive his offense 75 yards in 5 plays to put Carroll in front 7-0, following a 53-yard run by the Texas A&M commit.
The defense would follow suit, recovering a fumble on the Indians' first drive, and giving the Dragons another chance to score. Carroll would once again rely on Hill's legs to put the points on the board as he carried the ball over the goal line for a second time in the first quarter to double the Dragons' lead to 14-0.
Hill kept his streak of big first halves alive, passing for 216 yards and two touchdowns, along with another 94 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground.
The first passing touchdown of the game came after Keller's special teams pushed the Dragons' offense deep inside their own territory. Hill connected with junior running back A.J. Ezzard twice on screen passes to set up a 24-yard pass to Keaton Duhon. The junior receiver broke away from an Indian defender and leapt over the goal line for his second score on the year, putting his team in front 21-0.
Following Hill's third rushing score, Keller's offense showed life with a 13-play drive, spanning over five minutes of game time. Junior running back Dalton Mills found wide receiver Cameron Martin alone for the touchdown, as the Indians' offense found a way to score against the Dragons' defense.
Carroll did not seem to care much for the 28-7 score, nor the onside kick attempt that followed. After the Dragons recovered the kick, Hill needed one play to find senior receiver Mike Gardiner along the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown strike and a 35-7 halftime lead.
"We had the wind behind us so we knew we'd be throwing," Hill said of the drive. "Mike just came open on the crossing route and he made a sick play to stay in bounds."
It was much of the same for Carroll in the second half, as Ezzard added two more scores in the third quarter on consecutive drives to push the Dragons' lead to 49-7.
Ezzard showed the same form he has displayed all season long, rushing for 64 yards on 13 carries to go along with his two touchdowns.
The Dragons brought in the reserves after the third quarter, and the defense shut down the Indians' chances in the final frame, winning 56-7.
"We have tremendous respect for Keller," said Hal Wasson, Carroll head coach. "We needed to see a physical brand of football and that's what they brought. I'm proud of our guys for remaining consistent and focused throughout."
Carroll will need to keep its focus as the Dragons look to win their final home game Friday at 7:30 p.m. versus Keller Fossil Ridge.
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