If TJ McDaniel was a well-kept secret (and we’re not sure how he could’ve been), he’s not anymore.

McDaniel played a massive role in Southlake Carroll’s 33-15 dethroning of defending Texas UIL Class 6A, Division II state champion DeSoto a week ago, gashing the Eagles for 183 total yards and a pair of scores. And if the Dragons' next opponent, Arlington, is to have any hope of advancing to the quarterfinals, the Colts will need to neutralize No. 4 when the two teams play at the Ford Center in Frisco at 7 PM CT on Saturday— a task that’s much easier said than done.

Watch Southlake Carroll vs. Arlington LIVE on FloFootball!

Carroll (9-3) seeking its first berth in a regional final since losing to eventual state champion Cedar Hill in 2014. Arlington (10-2) last advanced to the fourth round in 2009 and was previously eliminated in the regional semifinal in 2012.

The Colts, for their part, have scored 39 points and rolled up 436 yards per game. Arlington is led by quarterback D’Montae Davis, who has thrown for 1,594 yards and 20 touchdowns against just three picks and rushed for 1,234 yards and 18 scores.

As a prospect, Davis — who accounted for five touchdowns and more than 200 rushing yards in the Colts’ 77-42 win against El Paso Montwood last Saturday — has flown mostly beneath the radar, but he’s undoubtedly on the radar of the Carroll coaching staff this week.

Carroll quarterback Will Bowers went 8 of 12 for 170 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s triumph over DeSoto and poses the perfect passing balance to McDaniel’s ground game. In worst-case scenarios for opponents, the pair work in tandem.

Arlington’s defense is surrendering just under 24 points per game. If the Colts are able to suppress the Dragons similarly, it will bode well for their chances at advancing to their first quarterfinal game in eight years.