Walk into Dragon Stadium on a Friday night in October and you'll feel it immediately. It’s not just the humidity or the smell of overpriced popcorn. It is a specific, high-frequency hum of expectation that only exists in places where losing isn't just "not an option"—it’s practically a myth.
Southlake Carroll football is a monster. Honestly, it’s the kind of program that makes other coaches lose sleep and makes suburban parents move across state lines just to get their kid in a green jersey. People talk about Texas high school football like it’s a religion, but if that’s the case, Southlake is the cathedral.
But why? Is it just the money? The fancy facilities?
Actually, it's a bit more complicated than that. While everyone looks at the eight state championship trophies or the ridiculous win streaks, the real story of Carroll football is about a culture that refuses to let up, even when the rest of the state is catching up.
The Dynasty That Bob Ledbetter Built
You can't talk about the Dragons without talking about Bob Ledbetter. Basically, he’s the patriarch. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, Southlake wasn't the massive, wealthy suburb it is today. It was a smaller town with a big-time chip on its shoulder.
Ledbetter didn't just win games; he created a machine. Between 1986 and 1994, the Dragons pulled off a 72-game regular-season win streak. Think about that for a second. Seventy-two games. That’s nearly a decade without dropping a game that mattered for the standings. They outscored people by an average of 37 points.
It was brutal.
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They won state titles in '88, '92, and '93 while they were still in Class 3A. Most programs would have peaked there. Instead, Carroll did something that rarely happens in sports: they moved up in classification and got better.
Quarterback High: The Dodge Era and Beyond
If Ledbetter built the foundation, Todd Dodge turned it into a skyscraper. When he took over in 2002, he turned Southlake into "Quarterback High."
Under Dodge, the Dragons became the first team in Texas history to move up a classification and immediately win a state title. They didn't just survive in 5A (now 6A); they owned it. The names that came through during that era sound like a College Football Hall of Fame roster:
- Chase Daniel (who went on to be a legend at Mizzou and a long-time NFL backup)
- Greg McElroy (won a national title at Alabama)
- Riley Dodge (the coach's son and a local hero)
- Kenny Hill (the "Trill" era at A&M and TCU)
Riley Dodge eventually came back home to lead the program in 2018. It was a full-circle moment that most schools only dream of. He’s kept the momentum going, leading them to the state finals in 2020 and the semifinals in 2021 and 2025.
What Happened in the 2025 Season?
Last season was a rollercoaster. The Dragons entered 2025 ranked as the #1 team in the state of Texas. Riley Dodge famously told his players to "take the target off our back and put it on people's chests."
They played like it, too.
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The offense was a fireworks show. Angelo Renda, the quarterback, was dealing. He threw for nearly 4,000 yards. Brock Boyd was catching everything in sight, racking up 1,900 receiving yards. They were scoring 40+ points almost every single week.
Everything was cruising until the Class 6A Division 2 state semifinals. They ran into a DeSoto Eagles team that just wouldn't quit. Carroll actually had a 16-point lead—it felt like they were punching their ticket to the finals. But DeSoto staged a massive comeback and snatched it away.
It was a heartbreaker. But in Southlake, a "down year" is a season where you lose in the state semifinals. Most schools would throw a parade for that. For the Dragons, it’s just fuel for 2026.
Beyond the Field: The "Dragon" Identity
You've probably seen the logo. It's everywhere in Southlake. But what most people get wrong is thinking this is just about talent.
Sure, the talent is there. But the "Dragon Way" is about a weirdly intense level of community support. The Dragon Football Foundation and the historical society keep the legends alive. The kids growing up in Southlake don't want to be NFL stars first; they want to be Dragons first.
It’s a localized fame that creates a massive amount of pressure. Every Friday, thousands of people show up. The expectation is a blowout. If the game is close at halftime, people start whispering.
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Other "Carrolls" You Might Be Looking For
Because "Carroll" is a popular name, people often get the Texas powerhouse confused with other solid programs. If you aren't talking about the Southlake Dragons, you're probably looking for one of these:
- Bishop Carroll (Wichita, KS): These are the Golden Eagles. They are a force in Kansas 5A, with state titles in '78, '12, '14, and '17. They had a bit of a rebuilding year recently, but they're historically a tough out.
- Carroll High (Fort Wayne, IN): The Chargers. They’ve been very consistent lately, putting up a 13-1 record in 2022 and 9-4 in 2025. They play in the big-boy 6A division in Indiana.
- Mary Carroll (Corpus Christi, TX): The Tigers. Often confused with Southlake because they're both in Texas, but they play in 5A Division II. They moved to a brand-new campus in 2022.
- Archbishop Carroll (Dayton, OH): The Patriots. They’ve had a tougher run lately, going 1-9 in the 2025 season, but they play in a very competitive GCL Co-ed league.
Why 2026 Looks Scary for Everyone Else
Going into 2026, the Dragons are returning a core that is basically looking for revenge.
The loss to DeSoto left a bad taste. Most of the offensive line is returning, and the depth chart is deep. In Southlake, they don't really have "rebuilding years"—they have "reloading years."
If you're planning to follow the team this year, watch the trenches. Everyone focuses on the flashy quarterbacks, but the reason Southlake wins is their offensive line. They are technically sound, mean, and they don't stop until they hear the whistle.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the Tape: If you want to see how modern high school spread offenses should look, find 2025 highlights of Angelo Renda and Brock Boyd. Their chemistry is a clinic in timing routes.
- Track the Recruitment: Keep an eye on the junior class at Southlake. Several of their underclassmen are already pulling Power 4 offers, which usually signals another deep playoff run.
- Attend a Home Game: If you're ever in the DFW area, get a ticket for a game at Dragon Stadium. Even if you don't like high school sports, the atmosphere is a masterclass in community branding.
- Study the Schedule: Look for the District 4-6A matchups against teams like Trophy Club Byron Nelson or Euless Trinity. Those are the games where the Dragons usually face their toughest tests before the playoffs.