Eighteen seniors, who have played together since junior high, look to lead the Carbon High School Football Team to its best season in recent memory.
In order to do that, Head Coach Jeff Blanc says, his team has to develop a “will to win”. Blanc knows that will only happen is if his team wins, and he believes they will.
“My expectation is that we will start 4-0 going into Region,” Blanc said. “A bold expectation, I know, out of a team that has won four games in the last six years, but my expectation week-in and week-out is to win every game.”
Blanc said he hopes that confidence filters down through the rest of the coaching staff to the players.
“Coaching consistency gives the kids the confidence that people believe in them,” he said. “This is a team that has gelled more together, a team that has a good attitude, but most importantly, it’s a team with the personnel to make things happen.”
Blanc said the team’s greatest strengths would be speed and familiarity with the team’s system.
“In all my years of coaching, this is probably the quickest team that I’ve ever had,” Blanc said. “We converted some skill players to the line, and with that speed, we are able to pull a little bit. I think that speed helps us out tremendously.”
Blanc said quarterback Dakota Cisneros’s ability to run and throw gives the offense an air of unpredictability.
Blanc continued, “Not only on the offense, but defensively, it’s going to do us wonders to have that speed this year.”
Blanc said the defense would be led by a linebacking core of Dillan Manzaneras, Chris Murdoch, Nick Haycock and Dalton Nelson. Blanc also pointed to defensive ends Tanner Gagnon and Ozzie Louiza as keys to the defensive unit.
Blanc also said Carbon’s new region would create some opportunities and challenges.
“We went from a good region with two really good teams– Park City and Wasatch– to a Region with six teams that, on any given night, can win a ball game,” Blanc said. “You have a mixture of teams that throw the ball, and teams like Delta and Juab that are just going to try to smash it down your throat. Each week, we’re going to be preparing for something different.”
Carbon High’s quest to find the confidence to win begins Friday night against Monticello. The game will be broadcast live on ETV 10.
Carbon High Football Schedule
Aug. 19 Monticello, 7 p.m.
Aug. 26 American Leadership, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2 Ben Lomond, 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Union, 7 p.m.
Sept. 23 Delta, 7 p.m.
Sept. 30 at North Sanpete, 7 p.m.
Oct. 7 at Payson, 7 p.m.
Oct. 14 Juab, 7 p.m.
Oct. 19 (Wed.) Spanish Fork, 7 p.m.