Southlake Carroll Vs. Austin Westlake Preview

[NT80]

Southlake Carroll vs. Austin Westlake preview

10:33 PM CST on Friday, December 22, 2006

By BRANDON GEORGE / The Dallas Morning News

5 THINGS TO WATCH

1. Quick points: Both offenses can score from anywhere on the field and both teams traditionally make deep playoff runs, so nerves shouldn't be a problem for the coaches and players at the start of the game.

2. Two TDs from a Carroll WR: One of Carroll's WRs has caught two touchdown passes in four of Carroll's five playoff games this season.

3. Rally cry: Carroll's quick-strike offense means it's never out of a game, and Westlake has shown it can overcome obstacles. In a state quarterfinal win, Westlake allowed a running back to rush for 321 yards, had 91 penalty yards and had 10 points taken off the scoreboard but still beat San Antonio Reagan by two touchdowns.

4. Double trouble: Carroll senior twins WR Anthony Ford and CB Arius Ford have made big plays in the last three playoff games. Anthony has long TD receptions in Carroll's last two wins, and Arius had a 58-yard interception return for a TD in the win over Odessa Permian.

5. The Dodges' farewell: See how Carroll junior QB Riley Dodge greets his father for the last time as his coach at the conclusion of the game. It could be an emotional sendoff for Todd Dodge, who was recently named the new coach at North Texas.

HOW THE TEAMS MATCH UP

When Carroll has the ball

Junior RB Tre' Newton has helped lessen the load on junior QB Riley Dodge in the playoffs while Dodge continues to recover from injuries. Newton had his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance of the postseason in last week's win over Allen, finishing with 130 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts. But Dodge will air it out and take several shots at a big play. Dodge, a dual-threat, has passed for 3,881 yards and 51 touchdowns and rushed for 1,077 yards and 13 touchdowns.

When Westlake has the ball

Like Carroll, Westlake can score points quickly. Westlake averages more than 40 points per game and is led by QB Nick Foles, a 6-4, 250-pound senior who has orally committed to Arizona State. The efficient Foles is 163-for-241 passing for 2,967 yards, 32 TDs and only five interceptions. Senior RB Max Minor, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, has 174 carries for 935 yards and seven TDs. In two of Westlake's last three playoff games, senior WR Andy Spears has had 100-yard receiving games. On the season, Spears has 20 catches for 631 yards and eight TDs. Half of Spears' eight TD catches have come in Westlake's last three playoff games.

Key matchup

Carroll OL vs. Westlake DL: Carroll QB Riley Dodge, who has battled injuries throughout the playoffs, said he hasn't touched the ground in his last 10 quarters of playoff football. Euless Trinity showed earlier in the playoffs that if a team can get pressure on Dodge, it can limit Carroll's success on offense.

SPORTSDAY PICKS

Brandon George

Prediction: Carroll, 42-17

Comments: Carroll's defense continues to shine, and QB Riley Dodge throws for three touchdowns and runs for another to send his father out with another state title.

David Hinojosa

Prediction: Carroll, 35-7

Comments: Carroll rides momentum and sends Todd Dodge off a winner.

Randy Jennings

Prediction: Carroll, 35-17

Comments: The perfect going-away gift for Todd Dodge convinces any remaining doubters.

Dave Lance

Prediction: Carroll, 28-10

Comments: Dodge era ends in style.

Damon L. Sayles

Prediction: Carroll, 35-14

Comments: This is Carroll's grand stage and coach Todd Dodge's swan song.

Keith Whitmire

Prediction: Carroll, 42-21

Comments: Carroll is on a mission for Dodge.

Todd Wills

Prediction: Carroll, 35-34

Comments: Tre' Newton scores late to give Carroll a three-peat.

Matt Wixon

Prediction: Carroll, 38-21

Comments: The Todd Dodge Era ends with a 48th straight win.

RESULTS

SOUTHLAKE CARROLL

Date Opponent Result

Sept. 8 at Lake Highlands W, 49-13

Sept. 14 *Evangel Christian W, 43-16

Sept. 22 Rockwall W, 47-7

Sept. 29 at Keller Central W, 57-7

Oct. 6 Colleyville Heritage W, 56-7

Oct. 13 at Haltom W, 52-14

Oct. 20 Justin Northwest W, 45-21

Oct. 26 at Keller W, 64-24

Nov. 3 Grapevine W, 45-7

Nov. 10 at Richland W, 38-0

Nov. 16 Lewisville W, 35-0

Nov. 24 Euless Trinity W, 22-21

Dec. 2 Odessa Permian W, 42-6

Dec. 9 Colleyville Heritage W, 33-7

Dec. 16 Allen W, 38-0

* Shreveport (La.) school

AUSTIN WESTLAKE

Date Opponent Result

Sept. 1 Abilene W, 35-9

Sept. 8 at Lake Travis W, 38-14

Sept. 29 at Austin High L, 31-24

Oct. 6 Bastrop W, 38-9

Oct. 13 Austin Anderson W, 74-12

Oct. 20 at Austin Bowie W, 59-21

Oct. 27 at Seguin L, 35-28

Nov. 3 Austin Akins W, 74-14

Nov. 10 San Marcos W, 13-7

Nov. 17 San Antonio Churchill W, 42-40

Nov. 24 San Antonio Jay W, 35-21

Dec. 2 Los Fresnos W, 45-19

Dec. 9 San Antonio Reagan W, 37-23

Dec. 16 Pearland W, 35-32