WHEN: Friday, November 28th (11/28/25) -- 7:00 PM
WHERE: Choctaw Stadium -- Arlington, TX
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Few programs in Texas have operated with the consistency and command Southlake Carroll has shown this fall. The Dragons haven’t skipped a beat since last year’s run to Jerry World, overpowering virtually every opponent they’ve faced.
Entering the Regional Semifinals with an unblemished 12–0 record, the No. 1-ranked team in the state (MaxPreps) once again looks every bit the title contender it was projected to be, intent on making another December push toward the UIL 6A-DII crown.
Under seventh-year head coach Riley Dodge — a former SLC quarterback and 2006 UIL 5A State Champion — the Dragons remain firmly rooted in a high-octane passing attack, led by one of the state’s most polished quarterbacks.
Senior signal-caller Angelo Renda, last season’s unanimous District 4-6A MVP, has been nothing short of sensational. The Pittsburgh-commit has diced up defensive units for more than 3,500 yards and 36 touchdowns through the air, while adding nearly 400 rushing yards and eight additional scores.
His chemistry with Ohio State-bound senior wideout Brock Boyd — the reigning 4-6A Offensive Player of the Year — continues to be a centerpiece of Carroll’s success, with Boyd compiling 75 catches for 1,145 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The rest of the receiving corps is equally explosive. Junior standout Blake Gunter, the 2024 District Offensive Newcomer of the Year, has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark with 13 touchdowns, while junior Brody Knowles — a four-star talent with offers from Oklahoma and TCU — has added nearly 700 yards and five scores.
Even still, the Dragons are far from one-dimensional. Senior running back Davis Penn has thrived in an expanded role, logging nearly 700 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns behind a formidable offensive line anchored by Oklahoma-bound tackle Luke Wilson, junior Tristan Dare (Michigan), and senior Carey Clayton (Memphis).
Defensively, Carroll has been arguably even more dominant, allowing fewer than seven points per game. Senior OLB Robbie Ladd (77 tackles, 13 TFL) and LB Williams Leins (70 tackles) form the spine of a disciplined, physical front seven. Up front, senior defensive lineman Crawford Taylor leads the charge with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, while senior DT Jake Lucky — a first-team, all-district performer — anchors the interior. On the back end, senior safeties Gavin Strange, who leads the team with six passes defended, and Austin Bussmann provide steadiness and range.
Special teams remain yet another strength, with senior kicker Gavin Strange (Duke commit) and senior punter Zac Hays (LA Tech) rounding out one of the state’s most complete rosters.
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On the opposite sideline, Prosper arrives with momentum of its own. In his third year at the helm, head coach Tyler Moore has the Eagles firing on all cylinders, entering Round 3 at 11–1 after decisive postseason wins over Hebron (66–39) and Berkner (50–24). And while the attention remains squarely on the task ahead, it’s impossible not to recognize the opportunity in front of Prosper — a potential path to its first state title since 2008, back when the program competed in Class 3A.
Much like Southlake Carroll, the Eagles possess one of the premier offensive lines in Texas. Senior standouts Bryce Gilmore (Texas Tech), Sean Stover (Duke), and Zaden Krempin (Texas A&M) form a powerful trio up front, giving Prosper the kind of foundation every contender covets.
Senior quarterback Braeden Imhoff (Lamar), the reigning District 6-6A Offensive Player of the Year, continues to captain the offense with poise and efficiency. Supporting him are senior running back Bryce Robinson and three-star Tulsa-commit Lathon Latiolais, who brings dynamic production on the perimeter. Junior tight end Elliot Brown adds balance to a potent and versatile arsenal.
Defensively, the Eagles are equally imposing. Senior USC-commit Jake Johnson — last season’s District 6-6A Defensive Lineman of the Year — leads a fierce front alongside Army-bound senior Zac Manning. Senior linebacker Cade Smallwood provides reliability and range in the middle, giving the unit its backbone. And on special teams, senior punter and Texas-commit Mikey Bukauskas offers consistent field-flipping capability.
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Isaiah Vela (VYPE)
That run featured 23 straight wins and a return to the Class 6A-Division II Final at the Alamodome, where the Hurricanes ultimately finished as the runner-up to Fort Worth Boswell. Still, it was the fourth State appearance in program history and proof that Hightower has reestablished itself among Texas' elite.
Now comes the encore.
At the center of it all – literally– is 6-foot-4 junior Ogechi Okeke, a national recruit with offers from powerhouses like Cal, Oregon, Florida, and Oklahoma. Ranked No. 19 in the US by SportsCenter NEXT, Okeke averaged a double-double last season and earned All-Tournament honors for her dominance in the paint.
Hightower's Ogechi OkekeIsaiah Vela (VYPE)
But Brewer’s group is far from one-dimensional.
Sydney Thomas (Sr. G) returns after an 11-point-per-game campaign and a TGCA All-Star nod, while veterans Onyinye Asomugha (Sr. PF), Samyra Blount (Sr. G), and Iowa Colony-transfer Eryn Roberts (Jr. PG) add depth and versatility.
After ending a six-year drought between State appearances, Hightower now chases what’s never been done before — back-to-back trips to the big stage.
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