With TJ McDaniel out injured during the second quarter, Southlake Carroll quarterback Will Bowers led the Dragons to a thrilling 28-24 victory over Arlington High School in the Class 6A-II Regional at the Ford Center on Saturday.

Carroll (10-3) lost McDaniel to a collarbone injury after he piled up 13 carries for 80 yards and a score on the Dragons’ first two possessions of the game.

First snap! How bout that start for @SLCAthletics  https://t.co/KghCZgi2tH @SLCDragonFB @TJMcDaniel4 pic.twitter.com/Qvy0VnYhqH

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) December 3, 2017

Arlington ran only nine plays over the course of the first 18 minutes of the game — but, on the Colts’ 10th play, running back Kenland McCray got loose for 75-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7.

On Arlington’s next possession, however, Carroll defensive back RJ Mickens intercepted D’Montae Davis and returned the pick 68 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 Dragons’ lead.

RJ Mickens (@RjMickens10) with the pick six and lean at the line! https://t.co/KghCZgi2tH @SLCAthletics @SLCDragonFB @track_dragon pic.twitter.com/sUSJO907Gb

— FloFootball (@FloFootball) December 3, 2017

Davis — who finished 268 total yards and a pair of touchdowns — would redeem himself on the first possession of the second half, helping to march the Colts on a 5:35, 12-play drive that ended with the quarterback finding the end zone on a 1-yard run, tying the game once again.

Carroll responded with a three-play scoring drive, highlighted by a 57-yard completion from Bowers to Preston Forney, and capped by a Tavian Gould 10-yard touchdown run.

Just four plays into the fourth quarter, Bowers found Carson White with a three-yard touchdown pass to set the final margin at 28-24, Dragons.

Bowers finished 11-of-14 for 178 yards and rushed for another 94 yards.

Carroll will take on undefeated Waco Midway at Baylor’s McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, in the state quarterfinals.