Carlynton ready to rebound from winless season

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, August 16, 2018 | 10:03 PM

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Scott Yoder knew Carlynton was going to go through some growing pains last season.

But he didn’t know how bad things would get.

The Cougars had to rely on their sophomore class because of low numbers at the senior and junior levels. Combined with injuries and off-the-field setbacks, the season snowballed into an 0-8 campaign. Despite the tough season, the determination of the team has not diminished.

“We went 0-8, and we got whopped,” Yoder said. “But the kids came back to work and busted their butts every day. Sometimes when things go bad, people miss practice. They didn’t. Our core group was in the weight room and challenging themselves.”

Carlynton’s winless streak stands at 13 games.

Experienced gunslinger Maclaine Greiner will lead the Cougars offense. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior took over the quarterback spot midway through last season and offers the team a physical presence. Greiner will have plenty of targets to throw to. Senior Will Richardson was the leading receiver last season. Junior Izaiah Babish has experience, and senior Christian Ray returned to the team after sitting out last season.

Yoder said the deepest position for the offense will be at running back. Junior Dallas Paolino will get a bulk of the carries after being a starter since his freshman season.

“He has matured,” Yoder said. “That might be the most important part. He has a chip on his shoulder and wants to show his freshman season was no fluke. The sky is the limit for him.”

Kaydin Mulkerrin is another junior the team expects to tote the ball. While he is listed at fullback, Yoder said he will get plenty of carries this season. Junior Brandon Jones is a scat back who has an explosive punch. Sophomore Bryan Lee has experience after seeing a number of carries late in the 2017 season.

Yoder said the offensive line has eight to nine players who can rotate in who have experience. Junior Jackie Peterson returns and is a player Yoder said may have been the team’s best lineman before being injured last season. Carlynton could also look to its incoming freshman class for production on the line.

“Our run blocking is a lot better,” Paolino said. “They have made leaps and bounds. They have turned all the way around from last year.”

Carlynton’s offense averaged just 4.3 points per game last season and was the lowest scoring offense in the WPIAL. The program made changes to the coaching staff during the off-season and will look to spread out and get the ball into playmakers’ hands this season.

Yoder said he is taking over play-calling responsibilities.

The defense will look for an overhaul as it gave up more than 45 points per game last season. There is optimism for improvement as the team returns players at every level of the defense. The Cougars should be particularly strong at linebacker, as Paolino was an all-conference selection last season and Greiner was honorable mention. Both Mulkerrin and Jones have experience at the position.

Many teams enter the new season with dreams of winning conference titles, playoff berths and reaching Heinz Field. But for the Cougars, there is a different focus. Carlynton’s players want to change the perception of the program.

“We have a big chip on our shoulders,” Paolino said. “We are going into every game with something to prove.”

Schedule

Coach: Scott Yoder

2017 record: 0-8, 0-6

All-time record: 166-285-10

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25, at Bishop Canevin, 7 p.m.

8.31, at Fort Cherry*, 7 p.m.

9.7, Apollo-Ridge, 7 p.m.

9.14, South Side Beaver*, 7 p.m.

9.21, at Serra Catholic*, 7 p.m.

9.28, Riverside, 7 p.m.

10.5, at Burgettstown*, 7 p.m.

10.12, Brentwood*, 7 p.m.

10.19, at South Allegheny*, 7 p.m.

10.26, Seton LaSalle*, 7 p.m.

*Class 2A Three Rivers Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Maclaine Greiner

27-74, 422 yards, 2 TDs

Rushing: Dallas Paolino

69-144 yards

Receiving: Will Richardson

13-119 yards, 1 TD

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.

Tags: Carlynton