The last four seasons have seen the bar raised considerably when it comes to the expectations of Carroll football.
That tends to happen when you win 40 games, three SAC championships, three sectional titles and an appearance in the Class 6A state championship in 2022.
Players have come and gone, but success has endured. But the last three of those years saw quarterback Jimmy Sullivan, now at Iowa, under center. So the big question is, can the run continue with a new QB1?
That QB1 will be junior Gabe Frisinger, who proved himself in the offseason to win the job. He will have no shortage of weaponry, with the top two receivers back in Jaidon Van Pelt (53 receptions for 789 yards and 14 TDs) and Mason Baughman (27-457-6). Add in fellow senior Logan Heath in the slot and the emerging Harry Scheele and the offense should cook in the passing game if Frisinger can develop.
The running back spot will need restocked. Sullivan was the team’s leading rusher last year and the next three were also seniors. A compelling prospect in the backfield is Devohn Quixote, a move-in from Canada who is small but electrifyingly fast.
The Chargers must replace some starters along the offensive line, namely Caiden Abbs and Mason Irmiter, but First Team All-SAC tackle Andrew Rudolph is back.
Defensively, leading tackler Eli Neuhouser and his 94 tackles are back at linebacker. Fellow linebacker Coleman Tipton also returns and will be looked upon as a senior leader.
The defensive front will see some new personnel, but Evan Brubaker is expected to be a big different maker either at nose or on the edge.
There are depth questions in the secondary, with Van Pelt and Baughman seeing time. Sophomores Andrew Shie and Jacob Schlotterback are expected to be thrust into the lineup. Shie is quick and well-proportioned at 6-foot and 185 pounds.
Carroll once again does not shy away from challenges in the non-conference. It will start with a road test at Hamilton Southeastern followed by a visit from Center Grove. Coach Doug Dinan knows these are the kinds of teams the Chargers are going to have to defeat to return to the Class 6A finals, and passes those challenges on to his players.
WHY #1?
What’s the saying? Past performance isn’t an indication of future success. However, Coach Dinan has built Carroll up into a program almost rebuild-proof. Personnel graduates. Personnel leaves. Yet the wins keep coming.
Carroll will take a loss or two in the non-conference as it did last year, but it is still primed to be the team to beat in the area. Bishop Dwenger will get first shot in Week 4 as the Saints come calling to Huntertown.
Until someone knocks them off, the Chargers are at the top looking down upon everyone else.
CRUCIAL GAME
Week 5 at Snider
This has developed into quite the rivalry. This one will be tough for several reasons. One, it is the top two teams in the SAC, and least in our opinion. Two, it comes after what is sure to be an emotional and physical game against Bishop Dwenger. In other words, Carroll cannot have a letdown.
There is plenty of football to be played after this game on Sept. 19, but we could look back and say this one is the game that decided the SAC race.
CRITICAL PLAYER
QB Gabe Frisinger, junior
The junior’s job will be easy and tough at the same time. On the one hand, he has been chosen as the guy to run the offense of a Class 6A program with eyes on SAC and postseason success again. On the other, he has an embarrassment of riches around him. If he can get the ball in the hands of his playmakers in space, the Chargers will win a lot of games.
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Easier said than done, especially when defenses are going to be aiming to dent your confidence and make you flustered, something that was extremely difficult to do when Sullivan was behind center.
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