Carroll Flexes Muscle, Shuts Out Midland High in Season Opener
MIDLAND — For a moment, Midland High looked like it might rattle the state’s No. 1 team. A pair of first-half interceptions gave the Bulldogs hope, but powerhouse Southlake Carroll quickly slammed the door, rolling to a 49-0 rout Friday at Astound Broadband Stadium.
The Bulldogs’ defense gave the home crowd something to cheer about early. Carson Ham snagged a pick in the first quarter, and sophomore corner Devin Rodriquez followed with another takeaway in the second. But each time Midland had a chance to flip momentum, Carroll’s defense stood tall. The Bulldogs managed just eight first downs the entire night, their triple-option scheme bottled up by the Dragons’ speed and discipline.
“That was a tough offense to prep for in one week,” Carroll head coach Riley Dodge said. “But I loved how our defense handled first down all night and forced them into second- and third-and-longs. That’s where you have to win against this kind of team.”
The contrast in experience was evident. Carroll returned 19 starters from last year’s 6A Division II runner-up squad, while Midland came in with only four starters back total.
Quarterback Angelo Renda, a Pitt commit, piloted a balanced Carroll attack, hitting 17 of 25 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns despite a pair of interceptions. Running back Brooks Biggers churned out 112 yards and two scores on 17 carries, and Ohio State pledge Brock Boyd hauled in six catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Midland’s best chance to score came midway through the third quarter. Trailing 35-0, the Bulldogs pieced together a drive highlighted by a 10-yard run from Izaiah Miller and a 15-yard burst from Evan Taylor, reaching the Carroll 20. But the series fizzled in the red zone. The Dragons answered immediately with a 9-play, 80-yard march capped by Renda’s 14-yard strike to Blake Gunter.
Running back Izaiah Miller was a bright spot for Midland, finishing with 73 rushing yards on 11 carries, but the Bulldogs never found the end zone.
Despite the lopsided score, senior lineman Pulelei’ite Primus said the offense showed flashes of its potential late. “We started to piece some things together, but we’ve got to be better,” he said. “It starts up front, and that means it starts with me.”
Midland (0-1) will try to regroup next Friday when it hosts El Paso Pebble Hills, while Carroll (1-0) continues its march toward another deep playoff run.
