Football: Dragons wrap up productive spring despite missing key players

When Southlake Carroll -- the defending UIL Class 5A state football champions -- took to the field in the past month for spring practice, they did so with a different look.

Not present was reigning state finals MVP Kenny Hill among others, who were busy helping lead the Dragons' baseball team to the regional finals.

But despite the unfamiliar look, the Dragons took advantage of their time on the field, and head coach Hal Wasson believes the program had a successful month of work to begin their title defense.

"We had a very good spring," he said. "We went in with the idea that we needed to create depth during practice and I thought we were able to do that. We knew what our areas of concern were and we found some things we were looking for."

Wasson said creating depth in the trenches, as well as replacing key losses in the receiving corps and at linebacker (inside in particular) were the main areas of focus for the Dragons.

"We lost a lot of starters at those positions but we were able to answer some questions," he added. "We had some receivers come along nicely but we still have some work to do at outside linebacker. But the kids have all summer to mature and I'm confident they'll be able to do that and adapt to their situations. We're still a work in progress, but we have plenty of time."

Offensively, while the Dragons would have liked a month of preparation with their starting quarterback Hill and starting center Austin Tyrone, the absences allowed four other Carroll signal-callers to take advantage of their opportunities.

"It would have been nice to have Ken," Wasson said. "Our other guys were able to get a lot of repetitions though. There was a lot of good competition brewing."

Returning with pass-catching experience is two-way player Tanner Jacobson, who leads the secondary at safety. A majority of the remaining receivers are making the jump from junior varsity. Also contributing at receiver is Ray Crockett, who will go two ways as well, playing cornerback.

"They got a lot of reps last year and we're excited about their progress," Wasson said of the receivers. "They have room to grow and we've already seen some good things from them in 7-on-7 competition. The guys already qualified for state in 7-on-7 and did it without Kenny, which was very encouraging."

The Dragons qualified for the state tourney -- slated for July 20-21 in College Station -- by reaching the finals at the Colleyville Heritage Tournament. The host Panthers also qualified from the event.

Carroll figures to have depth in the backfield as well with each of last year's three leading rushers returning. Hill led the squad, while A.J. Ezzard and Steven Bergmark gained 684 and 410 yards, respectively, last season as sophomores.

Defensively, Wasson has been impressed with the development of the front and the secondary.

"We made progress and as practice intensifies in the fall, it will be interesting to see who distances themselves," he said.

Another key figure not on the field was kicker Drew Brown. But Wasson wasn't concerned there, either, as Ty Cummings -- who has already committed to the University of Houston -- picked up the slack.

"I really thought our kicking game was going to be a strength and so far it has proven to be," Wasson said. "Even without Drew there during the spring, Ty did a great job and I really like what we've seen from Sam Downey at punter."

Carroll also had limited changes on the coaching staff, losing only running backs coach Rob Royer who departed to coach in Colorado.

"He did a great job for us and we're grateful for the time we had with coach Royer," Wasson said. "We hate to lose him, but we're excited for him and the chance he has to go back to Colorado and coach and be closer to some of his family."

That fluidity coming off last season's state title again has Wasson and Carroll optimistic for a successful 2012 campaign.

"That was a great feat we accomplished last year," he said. "But that is old news and is in the past. We're looking from the present to the future and our guys are still hungry. So far, it has been business as usual. The targets on our back just might have gotten a little bigger."

Carroll will continue playing 7-on-7 and getting its offseason condition program underway before resuming practice Aug. 17.

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