By DAVID COOK
After a school-record 10 wins last season, Carson City-Crystal is looking to see what it can do for an encore this year.
While the Eagles suffered some heavy losses to graduation, they have been busy over the summer getting ready to not only defend their league title, but to also make another playoff run. “We are expecting to be in the hunt to defend our league title,” said coach Devin Pringle. “The guys have a great work ethic, they come in early and stay late on their own, they want to win.”
Leading the way for the Eagles this season will be a defense that is paced by a talented group of linemen. “Our defensive line is scary good,” Pringle said. “They are a group of absolute studs. Led by Division I recruit Austin Hopkins, this group is big and tough.” Hopkins is a 6’4″ inch, 235-pound senior defensive end. “Austin has a motor like no other,” Pringle said. “He will get after you.”
Junior John Ferris (6’4″, 245 pounds) is another big, physical hitter who plays both defensive and offensive line.
At linebacker, the Eagles return senior Frank Smith (6’1″, 205), who has good size and excellent speed. “Frank has legit 4.6 speed at linebacker,” Pringle said. “When he hits you, you stay hit.”
On offense, the Eagles have some work to do, as they were hit hard by graduation. “We are replacing eight starters on offense,” Pringle said. “We will need the new guys to be on a fast learning curve; defense will carry us early.”
Ferris and Hopkins return to pace the offensive line, along with Smith, who will play at a guard position.
Zachary Pringle (6’2″, 165) will play quarterback. He is taking over the reigns from his brother Rhett, who led the Eagles to an undefeated regular season last fall.
Junior Dallas O’Green (5’7″, 135) returns at running back, a position to which he brings a hard-charging style. “Dallas is pound-for-pound the toughest kid in mid Michigan,” Pringle said.
Carson City-Crystal has lost just one league game over the past two seasons and will again be among the teams to beat in the Mid-State South. Sacred Heart Academy and Coleman will be battling it out with CC-C for the league title this season. The Eagles also have a difficult non-league schedule this season, as they open at Houghton Lake before coming home for games against Byron and Bendle.