Renger’s big catch helps Dragons to victory
The game had the atmosphere of a state championship game. It surpassed the point of living up to its lofty billing. It was what we would expect from two championship caliber teams.
More than 40, 000 fans watched an emotionally thrilling highly energetically charged Allen/Southlake Carroll game. From the opening kickoff the ingredients pave the foundation to what we thought it was to be, but it was even better than what I imagined.
No fans were cheated on the 12 dollar game fee, but instead were in for a treat for showing up.
On this night both teams played well enough to be a champion.
Justin Agnew got the biggest stop of his of his live, one that would send the Carroll Dragons (11-1) to the next round of the playoffs after edging last years division I state champion Allen Eagles in one of the best playoff games in recent years (35-34) in double overtime. After drawing within a point of the Dragons, Allen took a time out and elected to go for 2 and the win. To no one surprise Brown the man of the hour for the Eagles dropped back in the pocket, ran left, there was no running room there, then he ran back to the right side of the field. He turned up heading to the end zone when Agnew closed in and took his legs from under him at the 2 yard line. The Southlake Carroll fans, coaches and players erupted in jubilations.
“First thing I’m going to tell you is how much I love this football team, there a tremendous group of young men, that’s first and foremost. I trust them and they trust the coaches and that’s a tremendous feeling,” said Hal Wasson Carroll’s Head Football Coach.
Carroll advanced to face Arlington Bowie, Friday at 7:30p.m. at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
Allen (10-2) marched 68 yards to take the early lead 7-0 on a 28 yard pass to Alex Pastor.
“I think this was one of the most classic football games anybody could ever watch and hopefully I can enjoy it when I watch the video in a little bit knowing the outcome,”said Hal Wasson of Carroll.
Both teams moved the ball but both defense tighten down when needed.
A bobbled snap spoiled a 46 yard field goal attempt by Dragon’s Cade foster.
Allen also had a missed field goal when the ball hit the left upright.
The Eagles had a chance to go by 14 when Owens broke free on a hand off up the middle of the field but he was walked down and tackled on a magnificent play by Osborne.
With 11 seconds to go in the second quarter Piland made good on 6 yard touchdown pass to Landers with a defender in his hip pocket but he managed to hold on to the ball.
In the night cap fans watched Allen and Carroll fight to a 7 all halftime score.
Senior linebacker, Osborne dropped Matt Brown for 11 yard loss, on 4th down the Eagles came up empty on 44 yard field goal that was wide left.
Carroll regained the lead on Pilandbs three yard keeper up the middle, 14-7.
Allen had to wait until 10:10 to go in the game to knot the game at 14, on Owens 6 yard carry.
The Dragonbs responded on Avers 13 yard touchdown burst up the middle to bump the lead back to 7 at 21-14 with 6:41 to go.
The Eagles were not finished just yet, they managed their way down to the Carroll 5 yard line, but on 4th down and 5 they were stopped turning the ball over on downs.
Allen forced a punt with time winding down. 1 second left on the clock was enough for Brownbs heroic 27 yard touchdown pass to Chase Gambill to set up the tying extra point. That sent the game to overtime.
Both teams scored in overtime. Allen took the lead on Owens one yard run 28-21. Carroll countered with an 8 yard strike to Renger from Piland.
The Dragons had first possession in the second overtime, taking back the lead on Pilandbs 9 yard run up the middle at 35-28. Brown’s 2 yard run gave Allen six more points before they decided to go for two.
“Honestly we told our football team on Monday that championships were played on the football field but they weren’t won there. We felt like you have to win them in preparation getting to this moment and this point, the second thing I told them tonight was, paralyze their resistance with your persistence and I think they were a very persistent team. We played a great football team tonight and I’m so proud of them,” said Hal Wasson.
