Friday, Jun. 20, 2008

Dragons Show Competitive Edge

Carroll 7-on-7 Might Opt For Another Shot at State Tourney

By Zach Warner

Staff Writer

What might have been Carroll’s last shot at making the 7-on-7 state football tournament came up short. But Dragons assistant coach Kirk Rogers can’t look down on his team’s gutsy call.

Needing to defeat Arlington Bowie to get out of pool play and compete in the championship rounds of the Coppell 7-on-7 State Qualifying Tournament on June 14, Carroll staged a comeback. Driving down to Bowie’s side of the field and within range with 10 seconds left, they could either score and settle for a tie or go for two and the win.

They chose to go for the win and were unable to convert, but Rogers was impressed with the effort.

"It’s probably the best we’ve played so far," said Rogers, the Dragons receivers coach, who is serving as 7-on-7 coordinator this summer. "They’ve definitely shown motivation.

"They showed that sense of urgency and wanted to compete," he said, referring to his team’s ability to make a stop on defense in the last minute and a half while trailing by six points, then get in position for the win. "I respect them for choosing to go for the win. They wanted to go for the win and not the tie."

Carroll finished 2-1 in pool play and unable to compete for the title, while Bowie went on to win the Coppell SQT and qualify for the state tournament July 11-12 at Texas A&M University along with runner-up Richland. The two teams that compete in an SQT title game earn a berth to the state event.

The Coppell SQT was the Dragons’ third tournament this summer and the last one in which they originally planned to compete, but that could change, Rogers said. The team could opt to compete in an SQT hosted by Arlington Bowie on June 28.

"We might give them one more shot," he said.

Qualifying for the state tournament is not seen as a must-have, Rogers said, though they would like to try. The main goal is getting reps and having fun.

Carroll has made the 7-on-7 tournament every year in which they’ve competed except one. They also won the state title in 1998, the Dragons’ first year to compete.

The year they didn’t make it? That happened to be 2004, the start of Carroll’s 5A state three-peat during the fall football season that saw them win championships through 2006.

"We want to qualify, but if we don’t, then our whole [summer] season isn’t shot," Rogers said. "We get a good workout out of that."

The Dragons will also continue competing in the L.D. Bell 7-on-7 League, held at Bell High School in Hurst every Thursday night through July 10. Carroll began competing in the league June 12 and will usually play four 20-minute games during each session.

Rogers said that the first night of competition in the league went well and said he believes that helped build toward a strong showing at the Coppell SQT last weekend.

The return of several baseball players, whose season ended June 7 when the Dragons competed in the 5A state baseball championship, has also benefited the team, Rogers said. Brothers Matt and Josh Rake returned, as did running back Tommy Avers. Receiver Zack Bellenger has opted to play club baseball this summer with his Dallas Mustangs team.

"Getting those baseball players back helps a lot," Rogers said. "That competitive nature that they have after being in the state tournament is really the biggest boost, at least to me. I like where we’re at and where we’re going."

Injuries have not taken much of a toll this summer. Josh Rake is dealing with back spasms after a workout last week and has not played yet, though is expected to return soon. Quarterback Kyle Padron has battled a stiff back, but hasn’t missed any games.

Depth in personnel and talent have been bright spots this summer that Rogers expects will carry over into the fall season.

"We’re about eight receivers deep," he said. "This year’s team is more of a total-team effort. There’s a lot of guys that are chipping in and doing their part."