It was not the start the Chico Dragons was looking for. They went into the game against Frost as heavy favorites but came out a 42-19 loser.

Chico head coach Stephen Carter hopes this is a good learning experience for this year’s team.

“We needed a lot more effort,” Carter said about Friday’s performance. “I think they read the paper, saw they were favorites and thought it would be easy.”

Carter said he could see in his player’s eyes after the game that they did not perform the way they knew they could.

The Dragons will try to get things back on track in the second game of the season.

Chico (0-1) travels to Rockwall Christian Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

Frost rushed for 401 yards against the Dragons, and the Warriors have a potent running attack of their own that the Dragons must stop. Carter knows they will have to do a much better job of getting the opposing offense off the field.

“They have two good running backs that do a nice job running between the tackles,” Carter said. “We only touched the ball 12 times offensively in the first half against Frost. We can’t do that again.”

If the Dragons can just turn around their mindset, Carter feels they can have a lot more success in their second game.

“We were just not ready to play,” Carter said. “I think our kids got a little too cocky. We just have to get better and get after them this week.”

CHICO (0-1) AT ROCKWALL CHRISTIAN
7:30 p.m. at Hobart Wisdom Field

Chico: Harris Rating159

Notable: The Dragons gave up over 400 yards on the ground last week to Frost.

Rockwall Christian: Not rated

Notable: The Warriors are a Division III TAPPS school.

Harris line: No line