»RELATED: Madison voted team to beat in SWBL Buckeye
The offense could open up a lot this year with senior Jake Moore featured as more of a dual-threat quarterback in his second full season as a starter.
“I don’t know if the goal is to ever replace the best running back to come through Carlisle,” Brown said. “It’s just a matter of looking at what you have and trying to maximize what those guys can do.
“Last year, Jake Moore was in his first season at quarterback, and he did a great job of throwing the ball when we needed it, but we had three great runners in Zayne (Hart), D.J. (Chambers) and of course Ridge (Reed) so we were more run-focused. This year we will look to create more opportunities to spread ball around and take advantage of Jake’s arm and create some lanes for him to use his legs a little too.”
SEASON PREVIEWS
Moore is a standout athlete in three sports at Carlisle, serving as point guard on the basketball team and starting center fielder on the baseball team.
Despite handing off the ball a lot last year — mostly to Reed and Hart, who added 768 yards and nine touchdowns and also graduated — Moore threw for 513 yards and nine scores with just one interception and rushed for another 227 yards and four touchdowns.
“We feel he definitely adds some moxie for us,” Brown said.
In addition to Moore’s talents being utilized more this season, Carlisle also has Chambers returning and hopes to feature him more as well. Chambers, a standout sprinter on the track team, rushed for 421 yards and five touchdowns and is probably one of the quickest guys in the league.
SEASON PREVIEWS
“He’s a dynamic athlete,” Brown said. “He can do a lot of different things, and part of what we want to do offensively is create different situations to get the ball in his hands almost any moment, which creates matchup problems for opposing defenses.”
The Indians are “as talented as anyone” they will face in terms of skill position players, according to Brown, who also noted senior slot receiver Dakota Milligan and running back Spencer Mays as potential contributors.
However, there are bigger concerns than losing Reed. They also have to replace four starting offensive linemen. Senior tackle Braden O’Connor is the lone returner to the line and will be joined by senior guard Gage Smith and sophomore center Nathan Berger, while the other two sports are still up for grabs.
“Anytime you have to replace that many guys up front, you are concerned,” Brown said. “It’s two-folded because we need guys to step up and we need to be more creative offensively to create space to run the ball and give our quarterback time to make plays.”
Carlisle has the same problem on the other side of the ball, losing all four starters on the defensive line.
O’Connor, Chandler Workman and Mays, who played linebacker last year, are among those looking to take spots up front, but the Indians will need others to step up. At linebacker, the Indians return Chambers, Milligan, junior Dane Flatter and senior Braden Rauch, and the secondary will feature Moore at safety and Tanasi Reed and Sammy Reed at cornerback.
SEASON PREVIEWS
The graduation of SWBL Buckeye Division Defensive Player of the Year Caleb Boy also leaves a hole.
“It’s going to come down to the effort we get going to the ball and creating turnovers,” Brown said of his defense. “We are inexperienced up front and need some of those guys to step up and play like they have experience, and our secondary and second-level guys will need to play fast and cause some turnovers for us.”
Brown believes his team is capable of defending its league title, but with a roster of just 40 players, depth is another concern.
Carlisle, which started 0-2 before rattling off eight straight wins last year, hosts Southwestern Division winner Franklin on Aug. 25, then plays Miami Trace and Oakwood before opening its title defense Sept. 15 against Waynesville.
“When you talk about the league, we feel we can compete,” Brown said. “It’s just a matter of when get to Week 4 where our injuries are. We feel good about who we have but our depth is scarce.”
CARLISLE INDIANS
Coach: Mike Brown, third season (14-8 at Carlisle, 47-20 overall)
OHSAA designation: Division V, Region 20
Playoff history: 1-8 in eight appearances (1980, 1984, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016)
2016 record: 8-3 overall, 6-0 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division (first)
Schedule: Aug. 25 — Franklin, 7 p.m.; Sept. 1 — at Washington Court House Miami Trace, 7 p.m.; Sept. 8 — Oakwood, 7 p.m.; Sept. 15 — Waynesville, 7 p.m.; Sept. 22 — at Northridge, 7 p.m.; Sept. 29 — at Preble Shawnee, 7 p.m.; Oct. 6 — Madison, 7 p.m.; Oct. 13 — at Milton-Union, 7 p.m.; Oct. 19 — Eaton, 7 p.m.; Oct. 27 — Dixie, 7 p.m.
About the Author