Comets hope seasoned veterans provide boost

Carthage returns a good number of starters (10) and has a large 45-man roster. But there also plenty of new faces at key positions, so the Comets may be a work in progress.

The backfield, especially, has undergone a complete transition. Gone are mainstays such as two-year starter Clay Nutter at quarterback and leading rushers Jolyon Davis and Pat Gibbons, who was a starter since eighth grade.

In their place, head coach Sam Millich inserts senior Nick Piroli at quarterback, junior Josh Amann at tailback and has high hopes for sophomore running back Wayne Timpson.

One veteran who should play a huge role on both sides of the ball is senior wide receiver/defensive back Thomas Grimm, who caught 26 passes for more than 400 yards last season before getting injured. His return from ACL surgery gives veteran coach Millich one of the most versatile and explosive athletes in the area.

Senior wide receiver Kyle Temple, junior tight end Josh Britton and junior placekicker Ian Ates also will play key roles, as will linemen Matt Burleson, Aaron Millard, Dave Smith and Kyle Grover.

Defense is a big concern for Millich. Gibbons and Davis were also all-star linebackers, so he needs somebody to step into their roles as defensive leaders.

The Comets barely made the Section 3 Class A playoffs last year, then lost to Fulton in the quarterfinals. With good team speed, athleticism and leadership, a return to the postseason is a distinct possibility.