Coach Dodge and USA Today

[football fanatic]

Nice article on page two today of the sports section of the USA Today.....

[dragonfootballfan]

Nice article on page two today of the sports section of the USA Today.....
Link to the story (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/preps/football/2005-10-05-carroll-hs_x.htm)

[SLCDad]

Texas power extends run of super QBs
By Christopher Lawlor, USA TODAY

When Greg McElroy was named the starting quarterback at Southlake (Texas) Carroll, he was aware of the prestige attached to the position. "There's a great history playing quarterback here, and it starts with coach (Todd) Dodge," McElroy says. "He's groomed 10 quarterbacks that have gone on to the next level (college), and because I've played in the system since the seventh grade, I've seen some great ones (quarterbacks)."

McElroy's immediate predecessors — Chase Wasson (now at Texas State) in 2002 and Chase Daniel (Missouri) in 2003 and '04 — were the last three Texas Class 5A players of the year.

Carroll runs a spread offense featuring four wide receivers, and the quarterback has the option to run.

"Greg's abilities are emphasized in our (offensive) system," says Dodge, USA TODAY's national coach of the year in 2004 after leading Carroll (16-0) to the No. 1 ranking and the 5A, Division II state championship. "He's waited his turn when he could've transferred (to a private school) to play right away."

McElroy's patience has been rewarded. Third-ranked Carroll (5-0), which hosts Haltom (Haltom City) on Friday, is averaging 50 points a game.

In five games, McElroy has completed 89 of 136 passes for 1,302 yards and 19 TDs with only two interceptions. He has run for 364 yards (averaging 6.7 yards a carry) and four scores.

McElroy, 6-2, 212 pounds, said two weeks ago that he would sign with Texas Tech after high school.

But McElroy isn't alone. Wide receivers McKay Jacobson (team-best 501 receiving yards, seven TDs), Corbin Smiter (six TDs), Evan Fentriss (five TDs) and Clint Renfro (one TD) have all caught TD passes. Sophomore Tre' Newton (6-1, 185) is the main running back.

Both Newton and Renfro are sons of former Dallas Cowboys (Nate and Mike, respectively).

During a mid-September bye week, Dodge had his team work on its offensive line play and offense inside the opponent's 20.

The work paid off, as Carroll went 8-for-8 in the red zone the next week. And the line has helped Newton gain 350 yards in his last two starts.