Dragons, Indians Set for Showdown Under the Friday Night Lights
SOUTHLAKE – Another chapter in a familiar rivalry is on deck Friday night as Southlake Carroll hosts Keller in a matchup that could light up the scoreboard. The Dragons have owned this series lately, winning seven straight against the Indians, but Keller enters with momentum and playmakers who could make things interesting.
Carroll Keeps Breathing Fire
The Dragons are cruising at 5-0, and last week was their most explosive outing yet. Carroll torched Timber Creek 55-13, their eighth consecutive win over the Falcons.
Quarterback Angelo Renda was once again the conductor of Carroll’s offense, throwing for 241 yards and four touchdowns – his biggest TD haul since last November. On the ground, Davis Penn needed just 10 carries to pile up 72 yards and two scores, proving the Dragons’ backfield is just as dangerous as their aerial attack.
Defensively, Carroll smothered Timber Creek, recording 4.5 sacks with five different defenders sharing the load. The highlight came from Taevin Kunz, who turned an interception into a pick-six.
Keller Finds Their Rhythm
Keller bounced back from a tough road loss by outlasting Keller Central 38-29 last Friday, their strongest win of the season. The Indians leaned heavily on the run game, where David Makia and Brock Burkett powered the offense. Makia churned out 122 yards and two TDs, while Burkett bulldozed his way to 92 yards and another pair of scores.
Burkett, who also handles quarterback duties, gives the Indians a dynamic option – he’s thrown for seven touchdowns while averaging 157 passing yards per game this year.
Quarterback Duel Ahead
Friday night features two standout signal callers: Carroll’s Renda, who already has 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions while averaging nearly 281 yards per game, and Keller’s Burkett, a true dual-threat. If Keller wants to end Carroll’s streak, Burkett and Makia will need to match the Dragons’ firepower snap for snap.
The Stakes
Carroll dominated the last meeting with a 52-21 win in October 2024. Now the Dragons aim to keep their perfect record intact, while Keller (3-2) is hungry to prove they can flip the script.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Friday at Dragon Stadium – and all signs point to a high-scoring clash under the lights.
