JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL PREVIEW
The Charleston junior high Tigers have really only been tested once this season, a 22-12 road victory at Ozark. Otherwise, Charleston has cruised to decisive victories in their other five contests, posting a 6-0 overall record and a 3-0 conference 3A-1 conference play. The Tigers have outscored their opposition 213-34 this season.
Greenland is coming into Charleston on Thursday with hopes of changing all of that.
“Greenland is on fire right now,” said Charleston junior high head coach Matt Stewart. “They’re starting to click and their execution is unbelievable. They pose a great challenge for our junior high crew.”
Greenland junior high head coach Jordan Larkan attributes his Pirates’ success to buying into the grind.
“Our guys have done a good job of coming to work every week and getting better,” he said. “These guys do a good job of preparing and it has helped us get to where we are at this point.”
Greenland will be led by freshman quarterback Chandler Fanning, who has shown the ability to sling it as well as be a leader for his team.
“Chandler has had a good season so far and has done a great job of leading our team,” Larkan said. “He brings a lot of toughness to the quarterback position and he is as hard of a worker as we have on our team. His growth from where he was last season at the end of the year to this season has been huge.”
“The Greenland quarterback can sling it,” Stewart added. “He’s a great hand and will be a great challenge for us defensively. This will be the best matchup that our defensive backs have seen, and they are excited for the challenge.”
Fanning and the Pirates will face a Charleston defense that will undoubtedly be their toughest test to date. Of the 34 points Charleston has given up to opposing offenses this year, only 12 of those were in the first-half against the first string defense. None of those points came through the air.
“Our greatest pass defense has been our pass rush thus far,” said Stewart. “Our defensive line will be a huge factor in helping out our defensive backs. When Fanning has time to set his feet and play without pressure, he’s as good as they come. We must force the issue and keep him uncomfortable in the pocket.”
The Pirates have conference victories over West Fork, Cedarville and Lavaca, and non-conference wins over Lincoln, Yellville-Summit and Green Forest.
Charleston has shown the ability to score in just about any way possible. Freshman quarterback Daeton Stewart has thrown for 599 yards and 13 touchdowns this season, despite playing in the second half only once. He’s had several receiving threats at his disposal. Jaxson Todd and Tanner Schilling have four receiving touchdowns apiece, followed by Cooper Carruth with three and Carson Lensing with two. Todd also has a kickoff return and a punt return for touchdowns, while Schilling has a punt return for a touchdown.
Daeton will have to keep an eye out for a Greenland defense that loves to force turnovers.
“Noah Faulkenberg plays receiver and safety for us,” said Larkan. “He has seven interceptions on the season. Jackson Borland has also had a big season for us at linebacker and running back and has been a leader for us on both sides of the ball.”
Charleston has also shown the ability to run the ball behind its big offensive line. Grant Little has five rushing touchdowns this season, while Cooper Carruth has four. Little has scored at least one rushing touchdown in every game except against Pottsville, when Carruth found the end zone three times.
“Charleston has had a really good season so far and they have beaten several really good teams,” said Larkan. “Their offense is explosive and they do a great job of running the ball, passing the ball and getting the ball to their playmakers. I think from a defensive standpoint we have to play assignment football, limit penalties, and do our best to prevent to big plays to slow their offense.”
Stewart believes his young Tigers are excited about the opportunity to face an undefeated team.
“This game helps our young guys grow because it shows the significance of getting better every week and building off experiences,” he said. “We have to be diligent in our preparation this week. Film study is a critical part of gaining the mental edge in this game. This game helps our young guys grow because it shows the significance of getting better every week and building off experiences.”
In a bit of unusual scheduling, Thursday will be the junior high Tigers final conference home game of the season. I asked Stewart if he has a message to anyone out there who may have not seen his young team play yet.
“This group of junior Tigers plays hard,” he said. “Several of them the played last year as eighth graders and that experience has improved our leadership. Anytime you return a large group of players the expectations increase. We have had obstacles along the way, but this group has responded well to those challenges. The ninth graders have done a good job leading, providing insight, communicating on the field and in individual drills. What makes this group promising for the future is that the eighth graders have stepped up to challenge. They don’t back down in practice. They’re making plays in practice that many teams on our schedule have not made. They’ve grown tremendously since August. The competition we get in practice is what has bolstered this team’s performance on the field because we get a great look from our scout team players and, in many cases, they’re just as capable as the guys in front of them.
Charleston fans, come out Thursday and see these junior high Tigers. This is a very talented, hard working team. Get an early glimpse at the future of the senior high squad. The seventh grade game starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by junior high at 7 p.m.
All photo credits to Sharon Baumgartner Dewitt.
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