Friday, April 19, 2024

Instant Classic: Dragons Pull Off Dramatic Comeback

BEDFORD – This comeback deserves a special place in Dragon playoff history.

Down 17-0 against Arlington Bowie, the Carroll Dragons dug down and produced a remarkable performance. On the field of Carroll’s most storied playoff victory, this win was just as unforgettable with the elements of wind and cold adding to the scene. The Dragons produced 21 unanswered points to stop Bowie 21-17 in a Class 5A Division I Region I semifinal at Pennington Field. This site is home to Carroll’s thrilling 1992 Class 3A playoff victory against Vernon and this game was just as memorable.

The Dragons advance to meet Arlington Martin at 6 p.m. Saturday at SMU’s Ford Stadium in the Region I Final.

Carroll (13-0) produced little offense in the first half but came alive with nine seconds before halftime. Following two running plays, Dragon quarterback Kenny Hill hit Sabian Holmes on a 54-yard touchdown over the outstretched arms of a Bowie defender. The touchdown was a game-changer and symbol of things to come in the second half.

The Dragon defense produced a shutout in the second half and delivered a key fourth quarter turnover on safety Tanner Jacobson’s fumble recovery. Carroll had 14 points in the third quarter and Hill provided the game-winning TD on a 1-yard run with 50 seconds left in the quarter.

The touchdown came following a Bowie roughing-the-kicker call on a field goal attempt by Drew Brown. Instead of a tie game, the Dragons had a first down at the 4-yard line. Three plays later, Carroll took the lead for good.

Hill, now 6-1 as a playoff starter, finished 10-of-21 with 180 yards and one touchdown. He added 79 yards rushing on 27 carries and two TDs. AJ Ezzard (pictured ) had 27 yards on nine carries. Holmes led all receivers with five catches for 141 yards. Peyton Williams had two catches for 31.

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