Depth could boost Carlyle over the playoff hump

Second-year Carlyle football coach Chris Birkner has a luxury few Class 2A schools have — depth.

His Indians finished 4-2 last season in the rugged Cahokia Conference (4-5 overall), including signature wins over Freeburg and playoff-bound Wesclin. Two things may take them a little further in 2016, Birkner says — experience on offense and a depth of talent that will allow him to keep fresh legs late into deep games.

“We’re just trying to play a deep program, even with only 24 varsity players, and a bulk of them will see significant time,” Birkner said. “It’s like we’re a hockey team with line changes. There isn’t necessarily a starter and a backup, but more like line one and line two.”

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How that translates into competition for a playoff berth isn’t necessarily Birkner’s biggest concern. Giving as many of his players as he can the high school football experience comes first, he insists. It just so happens that the depth of talent can facilitate both goals.

“It doesn’t do a kid any good to come out here and work for a month and not get any playing time or feel like they are part of a team,” he said. “I really want to get kids in at some point in time during the game as long as they know what they are doing; you’ve got to learn your playbook first.

“But the talent drop off here is not large. We’re going to try to keep guys fresh all game long without sacrificing having top talent on the field.”

Offense

Junior Alex Huels, a starter two years ago for Birkner on his freshman team, is the front runner at quarterback. He’ll lead a group that has nine returning seniors.

Donte Nettles (128 carries, 750 yards, eight touchdowns) will carry the heaviest load at running back, but is versatile enough to lineup occasionally as a slot receiver. Dru Johnson (11 carries, 89 yards) also will get some carries.

All-conference receiver Tyler Siever (16 catches, 561 yards, nine TDs) returns. Eli Cox (nine catches, 129 yards) and Colton Reckling (four catches, 43 yards) give Huels extra experienced targets.

The offensive front will include Nathan Husmann at left tackle, center Andrew Brandt and right tackle Jared Vander Haar. Others will compete for playing time at the guard positions.

Defense

The Indians aren’t as experienced on the defensive side of the ball and unit coordinator Richard Nix still working to fit moving parts into place.

Chase Becker and Lukas Hussman have a leg up in competition for spots on the line. Vonder Haar and Dale Allen are close to clinching spots at linebacker.

Nettles and Johnson are both strong candidates at safety and Chris Shaw and Benji Vonberg are the likely cornerbacks.

This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Depth could boost Carlyle over the playoff hump."