IRVING – Before the start of the second half of Saturday's playoff game with Abilene, Southlake Carroll's cheerleaders help up a banner with a picture of a dragon tail and the inscription, "Dragons, our fairy tail never ends."

But Carroll's fairy tale of playoff success did end in a stunning, 22-21 loss in a Class 5A Division II Region I semifinal at Texas Stadium.

It began to unravel when standout quarterback Riley Dodge left the game with a separated shoulder early in the second quarter.

Instead of another storybook ending, Carroll's season came to a shocking conclusion with a fumble at the Abilene 10-yard line with eight seconds left.

"No one said life was fair," Carroll coach Hal Wasson said. "It's one of the hazards of the game. That's not to take anything away from Abilene."

Abilene (12-1) handed Carroll (11-2) its first loss in 20 playoff games. Carroll's previous playoff loss, and its last loss to a team from Texas, was a 16-15 defeat to Katy in the 2003 Class 5A Division II final.

"It's unbelievable," Abilene coach Steve Warren said. "They are a great team and a great program. For us to be able to come in here in their backyard and knock them off, what a great win for us and what a great win for Abilene, Texas."

Early on, it looked like it was going to be a typical playoff win for Carroll. Dodge led Carroll to touchdowns on its first two drives for a 14-3 lead.

But on his second touchdown pass, Dodge scrambled to find an open receiver and was hit by linebacker Chris Williams an instant after releasing the ball.

Dodge separated his right, throwing shoulder and did not return. At the time, Dodge was 8-for-8 passing for 126 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his career 27-2 as a starter, including a win in last year's 5A Division I title.

"They lost Dodge, we lost [junior linebacker] Justin Caroll," Warren said. "You've still got to play 48 minutes. He is a great player, I understand that, but we won the game tonight."

Abilene took its first lead of the game with 6:41 left when quarterback Spens Lackey dove in from the 1-yard line.

After the teams exchanged punts, Carroll started its final possession at its own 8 with 2:28 left.

Aided by two personal foul penalties, backup quarterback Kyle Padron guided Carroll to the Abilene 10 with less than 30 seconds remaining. Trying to save Carroll's last timeout, Padron lined up under center, rather than the usual shotgun formation, and fumbled the snap.

Abilene's P.J. Butler recovered the loose ball with eight seconds left on the clock.

"We were trying to snap the ball to kill the clock and set up for our field goal team with our last timeout," Wasson said. "It didn't work out."

After winning three straight Class 5A state titles, a Carroll playoff run didn't end with a happily ever after.

"I just can't believe it," receiver Blake Cantu said. "When the snap happened, I just stood there. I was shocked."

Padron was 12-of-18 passing for 84 yards in relief of Dodge. With a 14-9 lead at halftime, Carroll put the bulk of the offense in the hands of Tre' Newton, who rushed for 93 yards, and asked its defense to hold Abilene out of the end zone.

Abilene running back Keithy Flye rushed for 117 yards, but Carroll forced Abilene to settle for two field goals in the second half until the go-ahead touchdown.