The last two years, Southlake Carroll Head Coach Riley Dodge has had to make an unexpected change at the quarterback position. 2 years ago, Quinn Ewers left the team before his senior season to head to Ohio and this season, Kaden Anderson went down 4 weeks ago with an injury. The type of circumstances that would make some coach’s stress out. But not Dodge. As the Dragons have a security blanket. The most productive and durable running back in Carroll history… Owen Allen.
Allen filled in for an injured starter as a freshman and has never looked back. He’s now the Dragons all time leading rusher as he is now over 68 hundred career yards. Owen has missed only one game in that time period as well as he has helped lead Carroll to their 5th straight district title. But at 6 foot and 205 pounds, Allen is missing one thing… some major Division 1 offers.
Less than a mile away from Dragon Stadium, Grapevine Running Back Parker Polk gobbles up yards for the Mustangs. A starter for Grapevine since his sophomore year, Polk moved from receiver to running back this year and has done nothing but pile up stats and wins for the Mustangs. Polk is in the top 5 for 5-A with over 13 hundred yards and 18 touchdowns. His original position, slot receiver, Parker is a Wes Welker type. Willing to make the tough catches across the middle. However, Polk is lacking size as he stands at 5’7 and has not received any D-1 offers.
Even without the looks, both running backs have had the same outlook on the situation. Continue to work, continue to put up the numbers and someone will notice. Owen Allen has offers from the military schools while Parker Polk has received attention from a few Division 2 schools. Both backs just want to continue playing football, so having to prove themselves again at the next level… well that’s not a problem for these guys.