Talented seniors bolster Blue Jays

CHARLESTON -- A 7-3 record would be more than acceptable to most high school football programs, but the Charleston Blue Jays had loftier goals heading into the 2005 season.

A first-round district loss, 14-8, to underdog host Crystal City on a quagmire field, however, derailed the Blue Jays' state title hopes.

Once again, Charleston, with a strong contingent of talented seniors, enters the 2006 season with high expectations.

"I've only got two words on my mind -- state championship," said Charleston's second-year coach Al Marshall. "We had the team to go last year and I think we've got the team to go this year. Personally, I'm not going to be satisfied until we get there. We believe in setting our goals high."

On the Crystal City loss, Marshall added, "Not taking anything away from them, because they were well-prepared and did a heckuva job, but, on a dry field, I think we would have got 'em."

Due to a revised alignment which places the two Class 2 teams in different districts, a rematch this season would be possible only if both teams win their respective districts and meet in the sectional game. The revamped alignment moved Charleston from District 2 to District 1, replacing Portageville which dropped to Class 1. Caruthersville, East Prairie and Malden, along with Charleston, now comprise District 1. Crystal City remains in District 2.

Charleston also looks to improve on its third-place finish in the five-team SEMO Conference Central Division, which includes defending champion Dexter, New Madrid County Central, Caruthersville and Kennett.

Eight returning seniors -- seven starters -- are the backbone of the Blue Jays' 44-man squad with 16 freshmen. On both sides of the ball, 13 starters return.

Said Marshall, "We've got that nucleus of good juniors who are now seniors. I've seen tremendous leadership out of this group and they're all honor roll students and great kids. On top of that, they're ballplayers, they're athletes."

Watts lights up ground game

While averaging nearly 30 points per game (29.5) in '05, the Blue Jays should again feature a potent offense led by three-time 1,000-yard rusher Joseph Watts.

Watts, a 5-9, 175-pound senior scatback, ran for 1,377 yards -- fourth-best rushing total in Southeast Missouri -- and a team-high 13 touchdowns last season. With a knack for running to daylight, Watts was a first team all-conference and all-region choice. Senior Justin Clark, a three-year starter at wideout and another all-conference and all-region performer, takes over the critical role of quarterbacking the Blue Jays.

Charleston's success, in large part, will depend on how the rangy 6-3, 185-pound Clark adapts to the new postion.

"Justin's got a real good arm and he continues to improve his mechanics," said Marshall. "When he sets his feet and gets his hips through (in the throwing motion), he can throw the football as good as any high school kid you're going to see."

Clark, a savvy player, should become more comfortable with defensive reads and down-and-distance calls as the season progresses.

"He's not a real verbal guy, but he comes to play," Marshall said. "He used to just have to know what he did, now he has to know what everybody does, but he's a great athlete, gifted and smart, so he'll be o.k. there. He'll make plays."

Clark's running ability makes him an option threat which should be the perfect complement to Watt's off-tackle bursts and end runs.

Clark's backup, 5-11, 170-pound junior Matt Medlock, has also been impressive in preseason practice. Said Marshall, "Matt's been doing a great job for us. I've got all the confidence in the world in him if he has to step in."

Jamarcus Williams, the 2006 Standard Democrat Athlete of the Year, is another senior impact player as well as a team leader.

"Jamarcus has a more outgoing personality," said Marshall, of last season's leading receiver. "He's more verbal, kind of a take-charge guy."

The 6-5, 210-pound Williams was also a first team all-conference and all-region choice while leading the Jays with 20 catches for 411 yards.

Senior fullback Billy Butler will be counted on primarily to help open lanes for Watts and 6-4 senior split end Jerrell Quinn steps in at the receiver position vacated by Clark's position change.

Juniors Tonrieuns Robinson and Martel David are engaged in fierce competition for the final skill position, slotback.

Sophomore Jerquawn Sherrell could be the "X factor" in the Blue Jays' backfield. Sherrell, a sturdy 205-pound fullback, burst on the scene as a freshman with a 100-yard rushing game before suffering a season-ending injury in his second start.

Marshall foresees a diversified offensive attack for the Jays.

"We're going to try to capitalize on whatever we perceive the weakness is in our opponent's defense," he said.

Depth an issue up front

Five returning letterwinners were full or part-time starters on the line in '05, but beyond that core group, the Jays are shorthanded.

"We don't have a lot of depth at the varsity level," said Marshall. "We've got five solid linemen if we can just keep them healthy, because when you get past them, we're real inexperienced. Freshmen might have to help us. Every once in a while, you can find a freshman who can help."

Added Marshall, "One thing is certain. The best players will play. We've got to determine, no matter what grade a kid is in -- freshman, sophomore, junior or senior -- that the best players are on the field." Brandon "Big B" Gillespie, a huge 6-2, 330-pound senior tackle will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. He was a first team all-conference and honorable mention all-region selection last season.

Next to Gillespie at guard is 6-foot, 240-pound sophomore Garrison Eastman, who earned a starting job as a freshman.

"He's big, athletic and can move," said Marshall of Eastman.

Seniors Bryan Cassell, a 6-foot, 248-pound guard and Markale Kent, a 6-2, 190-pound tackle, who Marshall describes as a "tall, rangy, athletic guy with wiry strength," will man the left side of the line.

Junior James Davenport (6-1, 196), in his second season as a starter, is reliable at center. Four of the five down linemen will see double duty on defense. Eastman will line up at linebacker, flanked by Butler and Medlock.

Watts and Clark are the corners and Williams, who showcased his ability in a limited defensive role -- one game last season -- with an interception and a couple of defensed passes, will be the safety.

The kicking game should be in good shape with Williams again handling the punting and kickoff chores and sophomore Brian Caldwell's accuracy as a placekicker has been impressive during preseason.

Summary

Charleston opens against conference foe Kennett on Friday, Sept. 1, in the first of two consecutive home games prior to a bye in week 3.

No doubt, the Blue Jays will field a formidable array of offensive weapons, but it likely boils down to defense and special teams as to whether 2006 will be a banner season.

Cutting back on mistakes and penalties is a priority for the Blue Jays' coaching staff.

"We were penalized way too much last year," said Marshall. "Way too many penalties. It just killed us sometimes. We've also got to perform better on special teams, catch the punts…and avoid penalties. We work on the kicking game every day, because the kicking game cost us in some key situations last year.

"We've got a good team, a good nucleus and good coaches, but a lot of it (team's success) depends on the breaks."

If the Blue Jays stay healthy, hungry and focused, and don't beat themselves, they should be in every ballgame. They have the potential to be, not only a district champion, but to advance deep into the state playoffs this time around.