Southlake Carroll kicked off its 2026 athletic season Thursday night with the annual Community Pep Rally at Dragon Stadium, giving fans their first time inside the stadium this year to see a football team ranked No. 8 in the state and two weeks from a marquee opener at the Cotton Bowl.
The event, announced by Dragon Sports Network Dragon Athletics writer Jay Armstrong, drew the community out at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 for what amounts to a send-off for one of the most anticipated Carroll squads in years.
New faces, familiar expectations
First-year head coach Lee Munn inherits a program that went 14-1 last season and reached the state semifinals before falling to eventual champion DeSoto on a fourth-down stop at the 1-yard line in the final seconds. Dave Campbell's Texas Football slotted the Dragons at No. 8 in its preseason Class 6A poll, while On3 ranked them No. 4 among the best teams in Texas.
Junior quarterback Hudson Tomcheck takes over for Angelo Renda, who signed with Pitt. Tomcheck, a three-star prospect with offers from TCU, SMU, Baylor and Kansas State, told the Dallas Morning News on Aug. 3 that the pressure has given way to confidence.
"I've got the best offensive line in the state, the best team in the state," Tomcheck said. "If we can just lock in these practices and work together, there is no one that can beat us."
His targets include Illinois commit Brody Knowles and Cal commit Blake Gunter, who combined for 106 catches, 2,073 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2025. Up front, Oklahoma commit Luke Wilson (6-foot-6, 290 pounds) and Missouri commit Tristan Dare (6-foot-5, 285 pounds) anchor the offensive line.
Bryant Jr. joins the rotation
The name generating the most buzz is Dez Bryant Jr. The junior wide receiver and son of former Dallas Cowboys three-time Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant transferred from Colleyville Heritage during the 2025 season but did not play. Now eligible, Bryant holds 12 college offers including Texas A&M, TCU and Oklahoma State.
Speaking to the Dallas Morning News on Aug. 3, Bryant described the culture at Carroll as feeling "like a family," adding that the program's history of success motivates him daily.
A program riding high
The pep rally caps a historic stretch for Carroll athletics. The district claimed its record-setting 10th UIL Lone Star Cup in 2025-26, scoring a Class 6A record 132 points. Carroll was also named the inaugural Class 6A recipient of the THSADA Texas Cup on June 8, recognizing the top overall athletic program in Texas.
Five Dragons landed in the Dallas Morning News Top 100 players list, tied with North Crowley for the most of any school.
Carroll's last state football championship came in 2011. The Dragons open their pursuit of that elusive title Thursday, Aug. 27, against 16-time Oklahoma state champion Jenks at the Cotton Bowl in the "State Line Showdown." Kickoff is 7 p.m., and tickets are $15 plus a $1.75 service charge. After that, Carroll faces No. 4 North Crowley on Friday, Sept. 4, and No. 7 Allen on Friday, Sept. 11.
