The Charleston junior high Tigers will look to build upon their early success on Thursday when they host the visiting Paris Eagles at Alumni Field in Charleston. The Tigers are undefeated at 4-0 overall, and 1-0 in conference play after three victories over 4A opponents – Booneville, Pottsville, and Ozark – and a 42-0 conference opening victory over Lavaca. Charleston was on a bye last week.
“The team is eager to get back on the field,” said Charleston junior high head coach Matt Stewart. “It’ll be two weeks since we’ve been on the field and the kids are ready to hit somebody different.”
Despite the eagerness to get back out on the field, Stewart said his team was still able to focus and prepare.
“We had a productive bye week to focus on ourselves,” he said. “We were able to keep a similar schedule, yet prepare for the remainder of our schedule.”
Paris and Charleston share one common opponent so far this season: Booneville. The Tigers defeated Booneville 35-14 in the season opener, while the Eagles fell to the Bearcats 36-18. Paris also had non-conference losses to Gentry and Lamar.
Despite the losses, Charleston isn’t overlooking their opponent from 22 miles east.
“Paris has a few really talented guys with the ball in their hands,” said Charleston assistant coach Brett Ward. “They’re a threat to run it between the tackles, but they also have the speed to get to the edge and create explosive plays. When they’re able to get the run game going, it opens up their passing game and makes them even more dangerous.”
Paris will be facing a dominant Charleston defense that has only allowed 12 first-half points all season. The Tigers are also a threat to create turnovers defensively, as shown against Lavaca. Charleston forced two fumbles and two interceptions in their last game against the Golden Arrows.
Charleston has shown the ability to score in nearly every way possible so far this season. In addition to rushing and passing scores, the Tigers have also found the end zone on a kickoff return, a punt return, and an interception return.
“Our kids have shown the ability to this point to make plays when they have the opportunity,” said Charleston Assistant coach Tyler Reese. “Everything starts with the offensive line and QB, and from there we’ve been able to distribute the football.”
Charleston freshman quarterback Daeton Stewart is 24-of-36 passing on the season, with 479 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s also added two rushing touchdowns. Stewart has a wide variety of weapons at wide receiver at his disposal. Cooper Carruth leads the team in receiving touchdowns with three, followed by Jaxson Todd and Tanner Schilling with two apiece, and Carson Lensing with one touchdown.
“We’ve got a handful of guys that are playing well,” Reese said when asked about the wide receiver play. “We’ve still got things to improve on but they’ve done well to this point.”
In the running game, Charleston displays a one-two punch with freshman Cooper Carruth and eighth grader Grant Little. Little has three rushing touchdowns on the season with Carruth adding two.
“Both Grant and Cooper have done a good job for us,” Reese said. “It makes things easier when we have multiple people that can be explosive.”
Charleston will be attempting to improve to 5-0 this Thursday night. The action starts with the seventh-grade game at 5:30 pm, followed by the junior high game at 7 pm.
All photo credits to Sharon Baumgartner Dewitt.
