The Skinny
Coach Adam Carter takes over as the new head coach of the Creekview Grizzlies. Coach Carter inherits a Creekview team that has missed out on the playoffs the last two seasons. We asked Coach Carter what his biggest challenge would be coming into 2018.
“Creating a new culture,” Carter said.
While Coach Carter is busy instilling that blue-collar culture, he will have some pretty good pieces to build upon. The Grizzlies return First Team All-Region running back Cade Radam and First Team All-Region lineman Nick Pendley. Radam rushed for over 1,300 yards in 2017 and also had 22 receptions out of the backfield.
Joining Pendley to anchor the offensive line will be “Big” John Williams and Tanner Taranto. Both Williams and Pendley stand at 6’5” and both weigh in at over 270lbs. Dual sport athlete, Paxton Nayman is poised to help both in the run game and the passing game for the Grizzlies. Nayman hauled in 12 catches and had 3 receiving TDs last season. He has garnered plenty of interest from D1 coaches this past off-season.
The Grizzlies will have a new starter at QB in 2018. Ethan Dirrim is poised to be under center when the Grizzlies visit Cambridge on August 17th. Dirrim did see some action at quarterback last season, completing over 65% of his passes. Jacob Pfundt could become another big target for Dirrim this season.
The Grizzlies defensive line will be anchored by John Hanaford and Avery Rocks. Hanaford garnered Second Team All-Region honors last season. Creekview also return their three top tacklers from a year ago, Safety Andy Davis (101 tackles), and linebackers Chance Schwartz (78 tackles) and Jacob Graham (77 tackles). Davis, a recent Citadel commit, was also a Second Team All-Region selection last season.
Coach Carter said the team doesn’t have any particular game circled on the calendar. The next game is the most important game for the Grizzlies.
We asked Carter how his team would define success this season.
He said, “Kids playing hard, playing for each other.”
