2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 25 Southlake Carroll
Lee Munn inherits one of the country’s strongest offensive foundations, but the Dragons must replace every starter from last season’s defense.
Top 25 Public HSFB7/23/20268 min read
2026 Public Schools Top 100 Preview: No. 25 Southlake Carroll
Southlake Carroll begins the 2026 season ranked No. 25 in the T25PS Public Schools Preseason Top 100.
The Dragons have a new head coach, a challenging schedule and an entire starting defense to replace. They also have enough returning offensive talent to remain one of the most dangerous public-school programs in Texas.
Carroll finished 14-1 in 2025 and reached the UIL Class 6A Division II state semifinals before falling to eventual state champion DeSoto, 57-44. The loss ended another championship-level season but reinforced just how thin the margin has become at the top of Texas’ largest classification.
The biggest change came after the season when Riley Dodge left Carroll to join SMU’s coaching staff. Dodge finished his eight-year run with the Dragons at 108-10, winning seven district championships, five regional championships and reaching two state championship games.
Carroll promoted associate head coach and defensive coordinator Lee Munn, keeping the program in the hands of someone who already understands its standards, personnel and expectations.
That continuity matters. This is not a complete organizational reset.
Still, Munn’s first Carroll team will be defined by whether the Dragons can build a championship-caliber defense quickly enough to support one of the most experienced and talented offenses in the state.
Team Snapshot
Southlake Carroll High School Southlake, Texas Dragons 14-1 UIL Class 6A Division II state semifinalist Lee Munn UIL District 4-6A 7 0 No. 25
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Carroll’s offense has the pieces to be outstanding.
Seven starters return from a unit that helped the Dragons win 14 consecutive games and score 44 points in the state semifinal. The receiving corps features two committed Power Four prospects, the offensive line returns multiple high-level recruits and the running game should remain productive.
The unresolved piece is quarterback.
Hudson Tomcheck and Palmer Pensom competed for the job during the offseason. Tomcheck brings athleticism, arm talent and a growing recruiting profile, while Pensom offers varsity experience and a strong understanding of Carroll’s offensive system.
Whoever wins the job will be surrounded by one of the most quarterback-friendly supporting casts in Texas.
Defensively, there is much more uncertainty.
Carroll reported no returning starters on that side of the ball. Munn knows the defensive personnel better than almost anyone could, but knowing the system and having Friday-night experience are two different things.
The Dragons do not have the luxury of easing that group into the season. They open against Jenks at the Cotton Bowl before traveling to North Crowley and hosting Allen.
Those three games should tell us almost everything we need to know about Carroll’s championship ceiling.
Players to Know
Blake Gunter, WR, 2027
Gunter returns as one of the most productive receivers in Texas after catching 68 passes for 1,224 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025.
He also carried the ball five times for 138 yards and two scores, giving him 20 total touchdowns.
The California commitment can win vertically, create after the catch and line up in multiple spots. Regardless of who starts at quarterback, Gunter should remain one of the central pieces of the Carroll offense.
Brody Knowles, WR, 2027
Knowles gives the Dragons another proven outside weapon.
The Illinois commitment finished last season with 36 receptions for 816 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged more than 22 yards per reception, demonstrating his ability to turn limited opportunities into explosive plays.
Defenses cannot devote all their coverage attention to Gunter without giving Knowles favorable matchups.
Luke Wilson, OL, 2027
Wilson is one of the leaders of an offensive line that could become Carroll’s biggest strength.
The Oklahoma commitment provides size, experience and high-level ability in pass protection. His presence should make the quarterback transition easier while giving Carroll a dependable foundation for its running game.
Tristan Dare, OL, 2027
Dare joins Wilson as another Power Four commitment up front.
The Missouri pledge brings physicality and another experienced presence to the offensive line. Carroll should be capable of controlling games at the line of scrimmage, especially once district play begins.
Ty McCurry, OL, 2028
McCurry is one of the younger names to watch on Carroll’s offensive line.
Already a nationally recruited prospect in the 2028 class, he adds another talented piece to a group that should be able to protect a new quarterback and create space for the running game.
Brooks Biggers, RB, 2027
Biggers earned important experience after stepping into a larger role during the 2025 season.
He runs behind an experienced line and will benefit from defenses having to respect Carroll’s receivers. His development could give the Dragons the balance they need against elite postseason opponents.
Hudson Tomcheck, QB, 2028
Tomcheck entered the offseason as one of the candidates to replace Angelo Renda.
He played on the junior varsity level last season but has attracted significant recruiting attention because of his arm talent and athletic ability. Baylor, Houston, SMU, TCU and UTSA are among the programs listed with offers on his Carroll player profile.
Tomcheck may offer the higher long-term ceiling, but he still must show he can manage Carroll’s offense against one of the most demanding schedules in Texas.
Palmer Pensom, QB, 2027
Pensom served as Carroll’s varsity backup in 2025 and gives the Dragons an experienced option in the quarterback competition.
His knowledge of the system, toughness and familiarity with the returning offense could be valuable, especially during the opening three-game stretch.
Munn publicly described the position as a competition between Tomcheck and Pensom. Until the program announces a final decision, both belong in the conversation.
Jordan Calvert, LB, 2027
Carroll needs new defensive leaders to emerge, and Calvert is one of the players positioned to take on a larger role.
The Dragons are replacing every starter from last season’s defense. That creates opportunity, but it also puts immediate pressure on the new linebackers and defensive backs to communicate correctly against experienced opponents.
Schedule Breakdown
There is no warmup period on Carroll’s schedule.
The Dragons open against Jenks at the Cotton Bowl on August 27. Jenks remains one of Oklahoma’s most respected programs and should provide an immediate test for Carroll’s new quarterback and rebuilt defense.
A road game against North Crowley follows on September 4. North Crowley has established itself as one of the elite programs in Texas, making this one of the most important national public-school games of the early season.
Carroll then hosts Allen on September 11.
Those three games give the Dragons an opportunity to build an impressive national résumé, but they also create legitimate 1-2 or 2-1 possibilities before district play even begins.
The new District 4-6A includes Boswell, Keller, Keller Central, Keller Timber Creek, Northwest, Eaton and Byron Nelson. Carroll should enter as the district favorite, but Byron Nelson and Eaton are capable of testing a young defense.
The schedule becomes more manageable after the opening stretch. That should give Carroll time to develop its new starters before the postseason.
2026 Southlake Carroll Football Schedule
August 27: vs. Jenks at the Cotton Bowl September 4: at North Crowley September 11: vs. Allen September 17: at Keller Central September 25: vs. Eaton October 2: Open October 9: vs. Northwest October 16: vs. Keller October 23: at Byron Nelson October 30: vs. Timber Creek November 5: at Boswell
Biggest Question
Can Carroll build an elite defense without a single returning starter?
The offense should score points. The line is experienced, the receivers are proven and there are two legitimate quarterback candidates.
The defense will determine how far this team goes.
Carroll allowed 57 points in its final game last season and now must replace the entire starting group. Munn’s familiarity with the scheme and personnel gives the Dragons an advantage, but the new lineup will face North Crowley, Allen and Jenks before September is halfway over.
If that unit develops quickly, Carroll can make another deep run.
If it struggles to prevent explosive plays, the Dragons could find themselves trying to win too many important games with offense alone.
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T25PS Prediction
Regular-season prediction: 8-2
Postseason prediction: UIL Class 6A Division II state semifinalist
Southlake Carroll has enough offensive talent to survive one of the most demanding opening schedules in Texas and develop into a much more complete team by the postseason.
The Dragons may absorb two regular-season losses against Jenks, North Crowley and Allen, but that early competition should accelerate the development of an entirely new starting defense. Carroll should still win District 4-6A and will most likely enter the Division II bracket based on the district’s current enrollment figures.
By November, Lee Munn’s defense should be significantly better than it is in August. With Blake Gunter, Brody Knowles and an experienced offensive line leading the other side of the ball, Carroll has the firepower and playoff experience to win Region I.
T25PS projects Southlake Carroll to finish 8-2 during the regular season and reach the UIL Class 6A Division II state semifinals.
Bottom Line
Southlake Carroll has changed head coaches, but the expectations have not changed.
The Dragons remain one of Texas’ most consistent championship contenders. Their returning offensive line and receiving corps should allow them to score with almost anyone, and Munn provides valuable continuity after Dodge’s departure.
The question is whether Carroll can rebuild its defense fast enough to survive a brutal opening schedule and peak during the postseason.
If the answer is yes, No. 25 may prove too low.
Thanks for reading,
Alex | T25PS
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