Terrier Tracker Carbondale opens 2019 football season tonight at Murphysboro Terriers to vie for another playoff ticket this year
After the Carbondale Terriers were blasted last November by metro power Cahokia in a second-round playoff game, one might have expected head coach Bryan Lee to have the demeanor of the Grinch at Christmas.
But Lee was, if not cheery, at least positive about the matter.
"We had too many turnovers, but if anyone had told me we were going to go 8-3 and win a playoff game, I'd have taken that," Lee said.
And, he added presciently, "We have a lot to look forward to with our football program in 2019."
The Terriers open their 2019 campaign tonight, Aug. 30 against Murphysboro. The Terriers lost running back Korey Blythe and starting quarterback Jakeba Burleigh to graduation last spring, but they also return plenty of speed.
The keys to success for Carbondale this and almost every year is a quarterback who can efficiently distribute the pigskin to a plethora of running backs - as well as wideouts and an offensive line that can keep opponents' players from disrupting the process.
That quarterback may be Darius Ragland, a 6-foot, 170-pound junior. Ragland got a few game reps in 2018, but it will be interesting to see how he reacts to being "the man." Ragland probably will be backed by talented freshman Jahkear Geathers, who was a track star for Carbondale Middle School last year. Gaethers ran a 10.8-second 100 meters and will be hard to handle if he is flushed out of the pocket.
But the quarterback job is probably Ragland's to lose. Ragland also knows the Lee offensive system.
On the offensive line, you can pick between vets and big bodies. The vets are Jackson Grant, Malik Lester and junior Bryant Houston. Rickey Madison is only a sophomore, but don't be surprised if he gets lots of playing time, if not starting time.
On the defensive side of the ball, another transfer may get playing time. That would be Texas native Bryson Chullen, a defensive end. On offense, sophomore Gabe Hilliard may be one of two alternating starters in the backfield with Ragland. Hilliard is fast, but he is also elusive. His forte is changing direction without perceptively losing any speed.
Also returning in the backfield is 6-foot, 180-pound speedster Tavaris Macklin. According to Carbondale coaches, Macklin is so talented that he can excel at any position except the line. He will split carries at running back with Hilliard. Opponents will have to pick their poison in guarding both the Terrier running attack and their fleet wideouts.
Lashawn Newell, Austin Helbock, Clayton Greer and the multitalented Demarcus Funchess present great targets for any quarterback. Another of the talented Terrier sophomores, Funchess is so long an athlete that he appears much taller than listed. He will also get a lot of work as a cornerback on the Terriers' defense.
Look for the middle of the defense to be solidified by middle linebacker Will Bowlby, who started every game for the Terriers as a sophomore. Senior Aron Taylor will also be a rock at linebacker.
Last but not least, the Terriers bring back super place-kicker Macey Davis. At 6 feet tall, she has a powerful and accurate leg. She helped win last year's first playoff game 31-28 against Champaign Central with a fourth-quarter field goal.