Champs begin filling holes

Dez Turner breaks up a pass intended for Jacob Carkuff during a drill at Cascade football practice. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The process of working the green off of numerous young Cascade Champions is underway this summer as the Orange and Black attempt to replace 17 seniors.

Last season's Champs finished with a record of 10-2, good enough for most wins in school history. They also ventured into uncharted territory by earning a share of the Region 5-A title.

Lineman Nathan Armstrong and kicker/punter MoMo Stewart, both all-state performers leave giant holes to fill. Defensive back/receiver Julian Marable signed with the University of Cumberlands in Kentucky. Running back Nick Batts inked a letter of intent with Lambuth University. Linebacker Ryan Morton is at Tennessee Tech as an invited walk-on.

Quarterback Jacob Carkuff must clock in and lead the team both on and off the field. He will be placing his hands under center for the third straight year as a starter.

Replacing the production of fullback Cory Phillips was made tougher when Blake Harvey decided to give up football and concentrate on baseball earlier this summer. Thus, even more weight falls onto the shoulders of junior tailback Matt Henderson, who's rushed for roughly 1,800 yards on less than 250 carries over this first two seasons.

One more face of significance missing from the practice field is that of defensive coordinator Jeremy Austin, who left to take a coaching job at Dade County High in Trenton, Ga. He also played a pivotal role in offseason conditioning and weightroom training.

Head coach Kenny Parker had a replacement lined up several weeks ago but those plans have since fallen through and Cascade is on the lookout for a football coach.

Either way, the season opens up on Aug. 29 when the Champs head to Lynchburg to face non-region rival Moore County. Don't make the mistake of thinking the Raiders will be sympathetic for any reason whatsoever after losing the last two games by a combined score of 71-7.

Cascade's first home scrimmage is scheduled to take place this Friday versus Fairview at 5:30.