Dragons swallow Skeeters in first meeting

With what may be the largest crowd at Mesquite's E.H. Hanby Stadium, more than 10,000 turned out to watch the first meeting between state powers Southlake Carroll and Mesquite. After a tight first half, Southlake broke open a 14-10 lead to outscore Mesquite, 21-0 in the second half. Southlake Carroll senior quarterback Kyle Padron had his strongest outing in his first year of starting. He rushed for 100 yards and hit 20-of-25 passes in the first half.

"I'm not surprised by Kyle," Southlake coach Hal Wasson said. "He has been getting better and better in every quarter. You could see his confidence growing."

Padron entered the season after being at the helm as Southlake fumbled in the final seconds before the Dragons had a chance to kick a short, game-winning field in the state playoffs against Abilene last November. Padron had taken over for an injured Riley Dodge and the Dragons, looking for a fourth-consecutive state title, were ousted 22-21 in the regional quarterfinals.

Southlake Carroll showed a 3-man front to stop the passing of Mesquite senior quarterback Luke Halpin. SLC has had a strong 4-3 alignment tradition but the Dragons essentially played a 3-8 alignment to keep Mesquite from passing and the Skeeters were unable to mount a running game behind its youthful offensive front.

The key for Carroll was junior linebacker Lincoln Shick putting his hand down at a defensive lineman. Carroll rotated nose guards with Brayden Burnett and Jackson Richards dominating at end.

Mesquite led 7-0 and 10-7, but Carroll scored the next 28 points. SMU commit Padron at quarterback was very effective running out of the spread formation to balance the Dragons' offense. He also hit a bevy of receivers with quick, short passes that were usually perfectly placed.

Southlake Carroll doesn't looking as invincible as it has in the past with quarterback

Chase Daniel and Riley Dodge and running backs Aaron Luna and Tre Newton and receivers Clint Renfro, McKay Jacobsen and Blake Cantu. But the Dragons are developing enough offense to win a state title.

The Dragons have a great front seven on defense. Southlake Carroll may not go through the season undefeated but the Dragons certainly can win their last six in a row in the state playoffs.

Mesquite has begun its overpowering schedule. Mesquite has a lot of talent. Senior quarterback Luke Halpin has emerged with great accuracy and knowledge of the Franklin System passing offense. Mesquite needs to develop more of a running game and gain experience for a young line.

The Skeeters aren't big or dominating on defense, but can be effective with the Taylor twins at linebacker and Oklahoma commit Marcus Trice is a great team leader in the secondary, as a receiver and on special teams. Mesquite has to hope a turf toe for Trice gets fully recovered and that a knee injury to linebacker Oshae Hamilton against SLC isn't long term.

Mesquite has lost to high-powered Garland Naaman Forest and Southlake Carroll in its last two and faces perennial power Lufkin and its all-star defensive lineman Jamarkus McFarland at 2 p.m. Saturday at E.H. Hanby before starting district play.