Carroll Senior High School (Southlake, Texas)

Carroll Senior High School (popularly known as Southlake Carroll) is a public secondary school in Southlake, Texas. Carroll ISD operates one high school, however has a "split campus" (two separate buildings and administration, but one school) Carroll Senior High is located at 1501 W. Southlake Blvd. Carroll Senior High opened in 1993. The High School before 1993 was located at what is now Carroll Middle School, on the northside of Southlake. It was renovated and freed of asbestos in 2000. Carroll Middle School is also the location of the old Dragon Stadium which has a history of itself. Before the 2002 school year, Carroll Senior High was the home campus for all high school grade levels and was called Carroll High School. Carroll Junior High School was restructured into the High School to hold only 9th and 10th graders at the close of the 01-02 school year. The High School at the time, is now Carroll Senior High. Dr. Daniel Presley is currently the Principal of the Senior High with Rick Westfall being the principal at the High School at 800 N. White Chapel Blvd. which houses Freshmen and Sophomores. Both schools have upheld an exemplary rating per the TEA. The Senior High is part of the Carroll Independent School District. It is recognized nation-wide because of its very successful football program, winning seven state championships, including four of the last five state titles in Class 5A (the class featuring the state's largest high schools). Several games have been televised nationally by Fox Sports Net, which has also caused controversy. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2006-09-13-southlake-carroll_x.htm Making money off high school kids? Texas prep football squad a cash machine] ]

Athletics

Football

In their 44-season history, the Dragons have produced an all-time record of 398-126-8. They have been particularly impressive in the last 20 seasons, winning seven state titles in eight championship game appearances.Carroll's record the last 20 seasons is 244-39-1, including a state-record 72-game regular-season winning streak from 1986 to 1993 under coach Bob Ledbetter. Ledbetter led the Dragons to statewide prominence with three 3A state titles in 1988, 1992 and 1993. His successor, Tom Rapp, however compiled only a 29-17-1 record as Carroll head coach from 1996 to 1999 without a state finals appearance.

In 2000, former Texas quarterback Todd Dodge replaced Rapp. In seven seasons, Dodge guided the Dragons to a 98-11 record (including a 79-1 record and four state championships since moving up to Class 5A), before leaving Carroll for the University of North Texas in 2007. [ [http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/sports/colleges/16218842.htm Carroll coach Todd Dodge in line to get UNT job] ] His successor is Hal Wasson, [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/northeasttarrant/stories/DN-IN_slc_wasson_0722liv.ART0.West.Edition1.218b4.html Meet Hal Wasson, Southlake Carroll's new head football coach] ] who coached at Fossil Ridge High School in Keller, Texas previously. [ [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/012707dnspocarroll.1e8f441.html Sources: Carroll finds its coach] ] Carroll won its third consecutive 5A state title in 2006, making it only the second school to “three-peat” in the 5A class (Robert E. Lee High School of Midland, Texas did it 1998-2000). In the 2006 title game, they beat Westlake High School of Austin with 43-29 for their 48th consecutive win. [ [http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/sports/special_packages/fbhighschools/16322490.htm Dragon dynasty] ]

With eight starters back on offense, including running back Tré Newton (2,010 rushing yards, 20 TDs) and AP's 2006 5A state offensive player of the year Riley Dodge (4,184 passing yards, 54 TDs; 1,119 rushing yards, 13 TDs) at quarterback, Carroll aims for another 5A state title in 2007. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2007-01-19-receivers-2008-class_x.htm?csp=34 Variety of wide receivers lead prize catches in recruiting Class of 2008] ] Both Newton and Dodge orally committed to play for the University of Texas on February 25, 2007, however Dodge reportedly changed his mind in late June and now plans on playing for his father at the University of North Texas. center Nick Leppo have also committed to play at North Texas.

In 2006 the Southlake football team faced the Euless Trinity High School for the first time in a close 22-21 match. Making it Carroll's narrowest victory of the season.

Carroll Senior High School played Miami Northwestern High School in a rare No. 1-vs.-No. 2 matchup at the Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas on September 15. [ [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2007-09-10-top-25-showdown_N.htm USA Today: No. 1 vs. No. 2 Super 25 showdown set for Saturday] ] The game was televised nationally by "ESPNU". The Dragons were defeated 29-21, which ended their winning streak at 49, tying the Texas big-school state record set by Abilene HS from 1954-1957.

On December 1st, 2007, Southlake Carroll faced Abilene High School in the Regional semifinals. Carroll was defeated 22-21 in a thrilling game that was named Dave Campbell's game of the year for 2007. The Dragons lost their starting quarterback, Riley Dodge, early in the game on a hard hit after 2 touchdown drives, during which he threw no incompletions. Nevertheless, Carroll had a 21-9 lead early in the third quarter, but were unable to put the Eagles down for good. The Warbirds scored 13 unanswered points to take the lead and ended Carroll's run of consecutive state championship appearances and their 58-game winning streak against Texas teams.

Tennis

Along with having a great football team, the Southlake Carroll Dragon's also have an outstanding tennis team. The team has finished with a top 10 state ranking for the past two years and looks to do more in the fall 2008 season. Since the 2005 fall season the dragons have yet to lose a district match compiling a record of 28-0. The dragons are currently ranked number 5 in the state with losses coming only to number 1 ranked in division 5A Plano West Wolves, in a thrilling 8-10 match, and to number 1 ranked in division 4A Highland Park Scots. Recently, however, the number 1 doubles team of Ryan McClanahan and Stewart Pittman, beat the likes of Max Stevens, tennis pro hopeful, in a close match at the Coppell quad doubles. Southlake has produced 3 players in the state tournament the past two years during the spring season. Seniors at the time, Mike Hayes and Joe Nottoli, lost in the semis of state, while once freshman Megan Horter lost in the quarterfinals. Headed by coach Norm Smith and assisted by Coach Corey Aldridge, the Dragons look to do damage heading into the 2008 regional tournament and have an ultimate goal of a state berth.

Ranking

Southlake Carroll was also ranked #422 among United States high schools in 2007 by "Newsweek"'s Jay Mathews Challenge Index.

Southlake Carroll was ranked as having the 8th best athletic program among all U.S. high schools in the nation for the 2006-2007 school year by Sports Illustrated. Criteria was based on championships won during the school year as well as off the field performance.

Notable alumni

* Kathy Harston, 1976, Director of Women's Basketball Operations at the University of Tennessee
* Dane Johnson,1993, defensive coordinator at Hebron High School in Carrollton, Texas
* Lee Perry, 1993, gameplay designer (Gears of War, Unreal Championship, Unreal Tournament, Anachronox, Deus Ex)
* Kris Brown, 1995, kicker for the NFL's Houston Texans
* Carey Clayton, 1996, former center of the NFL's San Diego Chargers
* Karen Clayton, 1997, former center at Texas Christian University woman's basketball
* Robert Clayton, 2000, former offensive guard at The University of Texas at El Paso
* Domenic Mediate, 2001, midfielder/forward for DC United
* Kyle Brown, 2001, forward for Real Salt Lake
* Scott Chandler, 2003, tight end for NFL's San Diego Chargers
* Tre' Sellari, 2003, 2002 4A Baseball State MVP
* Chase Wasson, 2003, quarterback at Texas State University
* Garrett Hartley, 2004, kicker at the University of Oklahoma
* Adam Ulatoski, 2004, offensive tackle at the University of Texas
* Aaron Luna, 2005, outfielder at Rice University
* Chase Daniel, 2005, quarterback at the University of Missouri
* McKay Jacobsen, 2006, wide receiver at Brigham Young University
* Clint Renfro, 2006, wide receiver and runs track at Texas Christian University
* Justin Padron, 2007, inside linebacker for the University of North Texas ; Defensive MVP of Texas in 2007
* Riley Dodge, 2008, quarterback at North Texas (playing for his father even though Texas offered him a full scholarship as an athlete)
* Tre Newton, 2008, Running back for Texas (son of Dallas Cowboys OT Nate Newton)
* Blake Cantu, 2008, Wide receiver for Oregon.

References

External links

* [http://www.southlakecarroll.edu/CHS/index.htm Carroll High School's official website]
* [http://www.carrolldragons.org Official Carroll Dragons Athletics website]
* [http://www.dragondrama.net Official Carroll Dragons Theater Website]