By Hannah Barricks
Photography by Thanin Viriyaki
Under the bright glare of Dragon Stadium, the sound of drums rolls across the field, the air charged with energy only Southlake can create. In the stands, Heather and Carey Clayton watch their son, Carey Cole, step up to the line in his familiar No. 51 jersey — the same number his father once wore more than two decades ago.
“Watching Carey Cole follow in his father’s footsteps feels like watching Carey Sr. all over again,” Heather says with a smile. The Claytons are the embodiment of Dragon tradition — a family whose story intertwines with Southlake Carroll’s legacy of excellence both on and off the field. For Carey Sr., formerly a Dragon football player, the memories are still vivid: Friday night lights at the old Dragon Stadium, the player’s camaraderie, and the community pride that came with representing Southlake.
“It wasn’t just about being a football player,” he recalls. “It was about representing Southlake with pride and discipline. Our coaches demanded a lot from us, but they also taught us about character, teamwork, and accountability. Those lessons have stuck with me and shape my day-to-day life.”
He looks at the program today with both nostalgia and admiration. “I’m proud of how it’s continued to evolve while cherishing the core values that made Southlake special,” he says. “The facilities and training have grown, but at its heart, it’s still about the same thing — commitment, excellence, and family.”
Those same values are what Carey Sr. and Heather have worked to instill in their children, Carey and Isabel. “We’ve always told him to lead by example and to do so with humility,” Carey Sr. says. “He’s learned that success isn’t about flash — it’s about doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
Heather, who graduated from Carroll in 1996, has always believed that Dragon spirit runs deeper than any win-loss record. A two-sport athlete in basketball and volleyball, she still remembers the long bus rides home from away games, the locker room laughter, and the lifelong friendships that shaped her high school years.
“The bonds we built went far beyond the court,” she says.
What makes those memories even more special, she adds, is watching her son grow up under the same Friday night lights.
“He walks the same halls I did, reads in the same library, trains on the same field, even ices up in the same training room,” she says. “Every time I see him there, I’m flooded with nostalgia.”
They share that legacy with Carey Sr.’s sister, Karen Clayton Young, who also starred in Carroll athletics, and now watches her own daughter, Kinsley Young, carry on the tradition in volleyball.
“Seeing my daughter wear the same green and white I once wore brings a wave of nostalgia and pride,” Karen says. “It connects us.”
Kinsley, now a standout player with a Division I volleyball commitment, says that family influence has shaped her from day one.
“Having a family with an extensive sports background has been the biggest blessing of my life,” she says. “Everyone in my family has walked a different path in their sports career, and they’ve always reached out a helping hand in mine. Getting to hear their different experiences and lessons has taught me that I’m lucky to be born into a family where every challenge I face can be fought.”
She first realized her college dream was within reach during her 15’s club season.
“All the older girls I was close with started committing to play in college, and I told myself this is really a reality for me,” Kinsley says. “My family’s support always made me know I was capable — I just had to believe it for myself.”
That belief has taken root in a strong sense of purpose. Kinsley and her cousin Carey have grown up side by side, both driven by the same Dragon standard.
“Carey and I have always been very close,” she says. “We’re in two different sports, but both are part of programs that are among the best in Texas. It’s given us a unique bond — and a friendly rivalry over who’s better at what,” she adds with a laugh.
She credits the Carroll community with nurturing that ambition. “I don’t think anyone does it like Carroll fans do,” Kinsley laughs.
Karen’s experiences as a student-athlete helped shape how she and her husband, Corey, raise their daughters: Kinsley and her sister, Kylee, a beach volleyball player currently at USC.
“We emphasize leadership, teamwork, and gratitude,” Karen says. “It’s not just about being good at your sport — it’s about being good to others.”
The family is heavily involved in local volunteer work through the National Charity League and their real estate company, Clayton & Clayton Real Estate, to teach the kids that success isn’t just about what you achieve, but what you give.
Carey Jr.’s hard work recently culminated in a commitment to play Division I football at the University of Memphis. “When I committed, it was an instant feeling of gratitude and accomplishment,” he says. “I’ve worked toward this for so long, and the opportunity at Memphis feels like the perfect fit — great program, great coaches, and a chance to really grow.”
He acknowledges the expectations that come with his family’s name, but he sees it as motivation rather than pressure.
“If all else fails, family is what remains,” Carey Sr. says. “We’ve always told him to be the best version of himself — in football, in school and in life.”
Heather agrees. “What makes him special is his humility,” she says. “He never forgets where he started. He spends time mentoring younger athletes, helping them develop their skills. I don’t think he realizes the impact he’s having on those kids — but we see it.”
The Claytons’ commitment to community, family, and faith has become a defining part of their story. Their daughter Isabel, now in sixth grade, is already dreaming of putting on a green jersey of her own. “Our family truly bleeds green,” Heather says with a grin. “Once one of us becomes a Dragon, we’re always a Dragon.”
As Carey Jr. prepares to graduate early and head to Memphis, the family reflects on the values they’ve instilled in both kids — partnering with the school to imbue discipline, integrity and heart.
“They’re both ready,” Carey Sr. says. “They’ve earned it.”
One generation passing the torch onto the next, their family is a shining example of how legacy isn’t just about winning games in Southlake. It’s about playing your role in a larger picture — the Dragon way.