Dragon Pit Masters Earn Grand Champion Title at Texas State Meet

Carroll ISD is proud to celebrate an incredible achievement by our Dragon BBQ team, who captured the Grand Champion Title at the recent High School BBQ State Championship held in Granite Shoals. Competing against 98 of the top high school teams in Texas, the Dragons rose to the top in a demanding, all-day competition that tested skill, precision, and endurance.

“This championship reflects the very best of Carroll ISD - students who are willing to put in the time, effort, and teamwork necessary to achieve excellence,” said Carroll School Board President Cam Bryan, “From early morning pit prep to final judging, these Dragons demonstrated grit, precision, and pride every step of the way. We are incredibly proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

Pictured above are Carroll’s Grand Champion team:

• Preston Inouye – 12th Grade
• Darien Kawai – 11th Grade
• Caden Roberson – 12th Grade
• Cruz Paredes – 10th Grade
• Ryan Vu – 12th Grade                                                                                                                   

The team is led by BBQ Coach Breece Higgins, whose guidance and dedication helped prepare the students for this high-level competition. They were joined in the photo by Chuck Schoenfeld, President of High School BBQ and by Russell Woodward, with sponsor Nolan Ryan's Goodstock beef company.

"These student pit masters could not have done a better job," said Coach Higgins. "They’ve shown determination and talent all year - and it really paid off. They deserve all the praise, because they have been focused on this contest from day one!"

This year’s state competition featured five categories—brisket, ribs, chicken, barbecue beans, and dessert—with teams earning points in each category toward an overall total. After hours of intense competition, the Dragons earned the highest cumulative score, officially securing the state championship title.

The victory is especially meaningful as Carroll returns to the top just one year after finishing as the state runner-up last year. With determination and experience on their side, the team elevated their performance and out-smoked the field to bring home the championship.

"We came so close to the title last year," said Dragon Senior Preston Inouye, "we had something to prove this time around. So we were in it to win it!"

The competition is far more than cooking—it’s a true test of patience, focus, and teamwork. On Saturday morning, the park opened at 4:30 a.m., with pits firing up by 5:00 a.m. to ensure brisket would be ready for judging by 3:00 p.m.

Throughout the day, student pit masters carefully managed their fires, making constant, precise adjustments to airflow and temperature. Every detail matters, from how much oxygen feeds the fire to how the heat is maintained over hours of slow cooking. It’s a process that demands discipline, problem-solving, and resilience.

All teams competing at the state level earned their place through regional qualification. Carroll competitors secured their spot with an impressive performance at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo regional qualifier, where they placed third overall and earned first place in brisket. 

The statewide competition, organized by High School BBQ, Inc., provides students with a unique, hands-on learning experience. Through participation, students develop valuable life skills such as teamwork, time management, leadership, and a strong work ethic, all while building a passion for the craft of barbecue.

While the High School BBQ League is not sanctioned by the UIL and does not count toward Lone Star Cup standings, the level of competition and commitment required is nothing short of elite.

Congratulations to our Carroll BBQ team on being crowned Texas High School BBQ Grand Champions —a remarkable accomplishment and a true testament to Dragon excellence! #GoDragons!