By JASON KING
Leader sports writer
The Carlisle Bison were still full speed ahead as the second week of August practice came to a close on Friday.
And with strong on-field leadership that consists of 14 seniors from a total roster of 38, head coach Scott Waymire does not foresee any slow downs. The Bison changed from morning practices to the late afternoons this week due to teacher workshops, but the change in times did not have an effect on the intensity shown in week one.
“They’ve been real physical, and that’s been good to see,” Waymire said. “Everyone’s healthy conditioning wise, so we’re pleased about that. Basically, we’ve had two good weeks of football practice.”
Waymire also said he was pleased with the progress made getting the offense and defenseup to speed with their master plan.
“The good thing about having 14 seniors is that they know the basics on both sides of the ball,” Waymire said. “We’re not changing anything from what it has been, we’re just adding some stuff here and there.”
One of those changes will be shared duties at quarterback between senior Zac King and junior Chris Hart. King, a two-year returning starter, has been a vital part of Carlisle’s power-run style and will continue to lead the Bison on the ground. But Hart is a prolific passer. Waymire is hoping he will add another element to the offense.
“The past five years, we’ve been linemen heavy,” Waymire said. “Keeping the ball, clock management, trying to limit their possessions, and this year, we’re installing some option. We’re adapting and changing a little bit for the personnel we have. We’ll still keep our same system, we’re just able to add to it.”
The Bison will need the strong overall numbers to replace the nine starting seniors who departed after the 2010 season. That left all but three spots open on offense and seven positions left to fill on defense, mostly up front. With 38 players, an impressive number for a 2A program considering that many 5A schools are working with numbers in the low 30s, those spots filled up fast through the spring and early summer.
“We lost a lot of linemen,” Waymire said. “But these guys have been around, and they understand our expectations.”
The Bison won their first outright conference championship last season and reached the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs before losing to eventual state champions Magazine. In fact, they have reached the postseason for all five years of Waymire’s tenure, averaging 10 victories per season.
The campaign to earn their sixth-straight playoff berth will start at Fred Hardke Field in a home game against Riverview on Sept. 2, but Waymire said he is anxious to get the entire process started.
“We’re just ready to start school and get into a regular routine,” Waymire said. “We’re close to where we need to be, and we’re on pace to get the rest figured out.”
