CARLISLE
Coach: Mike Brown, second season (6-5 at Carlisle, 39-17 overall)
OHSAA designation: Division V, Region 20
Playoff history: 1-7 in seven appearances (1980, 1984, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2015)
2015 record: 6-5 overall, 4-2 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Division (second, tied)
Schedule: Aug. 26 — at Franklin, 7 p.m.; Sept. 2 — Washington Court House Miami Trace, 7 p.m.; Sept. 9 — at Oakwood, 7 p.m.; Sept. 16 — at Waynesville, 7 p.m.; Sept. 23 — Northridge, 7 p.m.; Sept. 30 — Preble Shawnee, 7 p.m.; Oct. 7 — at Madison, 7 p.m.; Oct. 14 — Milton-Union, 7 p.m.; Oct. 21 — at Eaton, 7 p.m.; Oct. 28 — at Dixie, 7 p.m.
A playoff berth in Mike Brown’s first season as coach was an encouraging sign for the Carlisle High School football team last fall.
Add in the comfort level of a year together in Brown’s system and most notably the return of Southwestern Buckeye League Buckeye Offensive Player of the Year Ridge Reed, and there are plenty of positives to build on in 2016.
“It was obviously a great thing to get another game together,” Brown said. “We had seniors last year who were very deserving of going, and the experience was a great thing for the guys I had coming back. They had a taste, and they want to win.”
The Indians’ playoff experience was short-lived and not particularly one to remember, as they fell 41-0 to Brookville in the first round.
However, the accomplishment of advancing to the postseason for the first time in 2010 set the bar high for future goals and expectations. Carlisle finished 6-5 overall and 4-2 in the league, which tied the Indians for second behind Madison (6-0), and the Indians now seek their first title since 2013.
“Having been with the coaching staff a full year, they know what to expect in terms of game preparation and what we’re doing, and they want to work hard and push themselves,” Brown said. “We have really good players within our starting 11 on both sides of the ball, and if we can keep those guys healthy, we have a shot to win a lot of games.”
It’s hard to imagine Carlisle going anywhere but up with key position players like Reed back.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior fullback led the entire SWBL in rushing with 212 carries for 1,825 yards (8.6 yards per carry) and 19 touchdowns in 9 ½ games, while also starting at linebacker. It was his second 1,000-yard season, and Brown looks forward to seeing what he can do in his final high school season.
“It’s no secret what we’re trying to do with Ridge in the backfield,” Brown said. “Teams have to figure out a way to slow him down, but we’re not going to change anything. It’s five yards and a cloud of dust with him. He’s a special player you don’t want to take off the field.”
Reed’s abilities outweigh some of the concerns up front with only senior Steve Summer (6-4, 295) returning from last year’s starting offensive line. Senior Logan Baker (6-2, 250) played a lot of snaps last year off the bench and provides some added experience, but the other three positions are wide open, Brown said.
Another question is the quarterback spot, though junior Jake Moore is the leading candidate after coming in as Daulton Butler’s backup last year when he suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 4. Moore (5-11, 180) also battled the injury bug and gave way to Adam Goodpaster at times, but Moore had a good offseason and remains the top contender for now, according to Brown.
Whoever is behind center will have the luxury of another weapon in junior slot player D.J. Chambers, who earned two top four finishes in the sprint events at the Division II state track meet in June. Chambers (5-9, 197) is a two-time first team all-league selection and can be used as a running back, receiver and linebacker.
“We need to see how we respond with four new starting linemen,” Brown said. “Skill position wise we have a lot of weapons, and when they get the ball in their hands they can do a lot of different things. We’ve got all different styles, explosiveness and running. It will be fun to see how we might be able to use them.”
Defensively, the Indians have a solid core returning in linebacker Caleb Boy (6-2, 210), defensive lineman Reece Human (6-2, 240), cornerback Zayne Hart (5-8, 170) and Goodpaster (6-0, 180) at free safety. Junior Tanasi Reed (6-0, 175) also looks solid at cornerback, Brown said.
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