2010 Football: Carson preview

By Bret Strelow

bstrelow@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — Carson’s football program, which debuted in 2006, posted a winning record and claimed a playoff victory for the first time last season.

The building process isn’t complete for the Cougars.

“As a head coach, you’re always building whether it’s a four-year school or a 40-year school,” coach Mark Woody said. “I think you’re always trying to build to make yourself better.”

Carson has the pieces in place to make noise in the NPC.

Woody said ascending to the top of the league is a goal, even if it’s one he claims might make West Rowan supporters laugh. The Cougars finished fourth in the NPC last year, edged Ledford in an opening-round playoff game and controlled a contest at top-seeded Cardinal Gibbons before falling 21-15.

“We feel like we can compete with everybody we’re going to play,” Woody said, “but we have to do it on the field.”

Carson possesses a talented senior trio of quarterback Zack Gragg, running back Shaun Warren and receiver Cody Clanton.

Gragg threw for 1,456 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, when Clanton broke through with 1,096 yards and 12 touchdowns on 47 receptions. Warren unofficially ranked 18th in the state with 1,977 rushing yards, and he reached the end zone 20 times.

“If I don’t screw them up they’ll be OK,” Woody said with a laugh. “That’s a special bunch.

“What’s even more pleasing is their mentality, how humble those kids are and how they pull for each other. They want to have success for the team.”

Woody said he can just step back at practice and watch Gragg run Carson’s two-minute offense because he has such good command of it.

Clanton, a 6-foot-3 basketball standout who decided to give football a try last year, is drawing attention from FCS (formerly Division I-AA) and FBS schools. A combination of size, speed and sure hands helped him eclipse 100 yards in five of the Cougars’ last 10 games of 2009.

“I’m glad he’s on our side because I wouldn’t want to defend him,” Woody said. “He’s going to run by you, stop and make a play, do something to get open, then he’s going to catch the ball.

“Talent-wise, he’s as good as I’ve ever seen in high school catching the ball.”

Warren, listed at 5-7 and 175 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. He went over 100 yards 10 times as a junior and peaked with a 273-yard performance in a tight loss to East Rowan.

Woody said Elon and Wofford have expressed interest in Warren.

“Believe it or not, I think he’s gotten quicker,” Woody said. “He’s been in the weight room, gotten stronger, and he understands the offense. The biggest thing for him, he’s matured in terms of understanding the game.

“He may not be a 210-pound running back, but he plays like one. He looks like a guy that’s an edge runner, but he’s more of a between-the-tackles runner, I think.”

Jacorian Brown will spend time at fullback, and a second receiving threat is K.J. Pressley. Tight end Dylan Eagle (6-3, 200 pounds) is a good blocker who caught nine passes last season.

The offensive line includes a pair of big tackles in returning starter Mitch Galloway and Daniel Rodriguez, who was a defensive player last season. Caleb Denton returns at one guard spot, and center Kaleb McCora gained experience in 2009. Jacob Scarborough and Jesse McMinn are in the mix at the other guard spot.

“These guys have been in the program,” Woody said. “We lost three good ones last year, but it’s been a kind of waiting-in-the-wings type of deal. It’s not like they’ve never done it. They’re ready to roll.”

Defensively, the Cougars will turn to linemen Micah Honeycutt, Jeremiah Smith, Garrett Smith and Ryan Shoaf.

Garrett Smith, who had 62 tackles and 17 quarterback hurries last season, and Shoaf are the ends. Honeycutt plays nose tackle, and Jeremiah Smith is imposing as the other tackle.

“He might be the best defensive tackle we’ve had,” Woody said. “He’s strong, athletic. He’s a kid we haven’t really had on varsity — we’ve had some big pluggers. This kid is a pretty good athlete.”

Brown, T.J. Smith, Alex Lee and Chris Barnhardt should contribute at linebacker. Barnhardt, who had 89 tackles last season, missed some preseason time with a hand injury.

Brown excelled as a defensive end in 2009 but has switched positions.

“I wanted to do that a lot for him,” Woody said. “I think that’s where he’s going to be at the next level, and we had a need.”

The secondary is where Carson’s defense suffered the most from graduation losses.

Dontae Gilbert, Tripp Cross (a baseball player out for the first time), Nick Martin, Jarod Raper and Darius Gardner have performed well in the preseason.

Carson allowed 50, 69 and 46 points in losses to county rivals Salisbury, West Rowan and South Rowan last season. The Cougars gave up a combined 60 points in their seven victories.

“We’re going to be a hard-nosed, physical team,” Woody said. “We kind of have a saying: Make them snap it again. We want to stay away from the big play and understand teams are going to move the ball.

“We never, ever, ever give up. Traditionally, that’s one of the things we’re proud of.”

The progression Carson made last year included two near misses: the playoff loss against Gibbons and the 29-26 setback against East Rowan.

East’s Andrew May kicked three field goals in that game, giving Woody a first-hand look at the importance of special teams. Carson kicker Caleb Lippard has improved after attending several summer camps.

“It was an eye-opener for me,” Woody said. “I had never seen how a kicking game could change things like that.”

Heading into Year 5, the Cougars continue to learn and build.

Follow the Cougars

Aug. 20 Hickory Ridge

Aug. 27 North Rowan

Sept. 3 Salisbury

Sept. 10 at West Davidson

Sept. 17 at Robinson

Sept. 24 Statesville*

Oct. 1 at East Rowan*

Oct. 8 West Rowan*

Oct. 15 at North Iredell*

Oct. 22 South Rowan*

Oct. 29 at West Iredell*

Nov. 5 Open

Game time:?7:30 p.m.

*3A North Piedmont