Southlake Carroll Pulls Off 27-Point Comeback in Battle of Legendary Programs

DALLAS, TX — In a matchup of two of the most storied football programs in the nation Thursday, Jenks High School from Oklahoma looked like it was on the way to a blowout win over Southlake Carroll.

Then the Dragons pulled off what could go down as the comeback of the season.

Carroll erased a 27-0 deficit midway through the second quarter to storm back for a 34-33 win to kick off the 2026 season at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.

Dubbed the Stateline Showdown, it was a meeting of programs that have combined for 26 state titles. Carroll is an eight-time state champion that is ranked No. 8 in Texas in Class 6A. Jenks is an 18-time state champ ranked No. 3 in 6A in Oklahoma.

Jenks flew out to a 27-0 lead midway through the second quarter, while its defense led by Florida commit Kailib Dillard held Carroll to only 17 yards of offense.

The Dragons finished the first half strong, however, to pull within 27-14 at halftime.

Carroll still trailed 33-21 in the fourth quarter, and Jenks had the ball. But a defensive stop, and a 54-yard touchdown pass from Hudson Tomchek to Illinois commit Brody Knowles made it 33-28 with 8:42 left.

After another defensive stop, Carroll took its first lead of the game when Tomchek scored on a 3-yard run with 2:09 to play.

Carroll’s defense then made one more stop to seal the win.

Carroll’s vaunted wide receiving corps was led by Knowles with seven catches for 176 yards and two TDs. The Dragons also have Baylor commit Blake Gunter and Dez Bryant Jr., the son of the former Dallas Cowboys star.

Southlake Carroll will continue its stacked nondistrict schedule when it plays No. 4 North Crowley next week.