By Brian Gosset
X – @gosset41
X – @gmsportsmedia1
Courtesy Carroll ISD/Ken Goodman
Carroll ISD captured the Grand Champion Title at the recent High School BBQ League State Championship held in Granite Shoals. Competing against 92 of the top high school teams in Texas, the Dragons rose to the top for the crown.
Among the championship team are seniors Ryan Vu, Preston Inouye and Caden Roberson, junior Darien Kawai and sophomore Cruz Paredes.
The team was led by BBQ coach Breece Higgins and was joined at the event by Chuck Schoenfeld, President of High School BBQ and Russall Woodward of Nolan Ryan’s beef company Goodstock.
“We could not be more proud of these students,” said Higgins. “They have determination and talent 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.
The victory was especially meaningful as Carroll returns to the top just one year after finishing as the state runner-up last year.
“We came so close to the title last year,” said Inouye. “We had something to prove this time around. So we were in it to win it.”
The park opened at 4:30 a.m., with pits firing up by 5 to ensure brisket would be ready for judging by 3 pm. Throughout the day, student pitmasters carefully managed their fires, making constant, precise adjustments to airflow and temperature.
All teams competing at the state level earned their place through regional qualification. Carroll secured its spot with an impressive performance at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo regional qualifier, where the Dragons placed third overall and earned first place in brisket.
The state 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.
The organization is supported by partners including Nolan Ryan’s beef company, Goodstock, further highlighting the real-world connections and opportunities available to students in the program.
