Southlake Carroll Advances to State on Game Clenching Field Goal

Neither team managed to gain much of an advantage in the first half. After Southlake Carroll took a seven-point lead late in the 2nd quarter, Longview hit an explosive play with less than two minutes to go until the half to knot up the game 10-10 at the break.

Southlake came out of the locker room swinging. A solid drive where the Dragons converted a 3rd down and 15 culminated in a 50-yard touchdown pass to give Carroll a 17-10 lead early in the 3rd quarter.

Not to be outdone, Longview went on a march of their own on the ensuing drive. Several punishing runs stretched the defense thin as the Lobos drove closer to the goal line. With less than four minutes to play in the 3rd quarter, a short touchdown run tied the game back at 17.

The game came down to who could make the final defensive play in the 4th quarter. After Longview tied the game, Southlake Carroll turned the ball over on downs deep in their own territory at the 38-yard line. The Dragons' defense answered with their own 4th down stop only four plays later.

With the ball at the Carroll 31-yard line, the Dragons would go on a march that took the remaining eight minutes off the 4th quarter clock. Slow and methodical,  Southlake steadily pushed towards the goal line. The Lobos almost stopped Southlake on several occasions, including a 4th down attempt at midfield, but the Dragons kept pushing.

Only three seconds remained on the clock when the Dragons sent out their kicker to attempt a 38-yard field goal to win the game. Southlake missed the kick, but a running into the kicker penalty was called, giving the Dragons another shot. Southlake Carroll's Gavin Strange nailed the final kick as time expired to claim a 20-17 victory.

Southlake Carroll advances to its 11th state championship for the 6A-Division II State Final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington next Saturday, December 21, at 3 p.m. against Vandegrift.