The Carlton football team looks to improve on a 3-7 record from last year as they have a bunch of experienced starters back on both sides of the ball.
The Bulldogs return 13 letter winners and have seven starters back on offense and defense. Key among the returning players are two All-Conference performers Jake Rychlak and Travis Gran. Both are seniors with Rychlak playing running back and defensive back and Gran playing tight end and defensive end.
"Last year we won our first playoff game since 1994," recalled coach Dave Battaglia. "We finally lost out in the section semifinals to Cook County 12-0.
"We should be improved from last year," he added. "We hope to contend in the conference."
The biggest asset could be on the line for the Bulldogs who have five returning linemen. At tackle look for Coleman Connolly and Calvin Wolf to lead, at the guard position it is Dwyre Johnson, and at center Adam Schmitz is back. Gran returns as an end and the Bulldogs will also return three of four on the defensive front - Gran and tackles Connolly and Wolf.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Our line play should be much improved over last year," commented Battaglia. "We have a quick, athletic backfield as well."
One downfall on the season is the fact that only 36 players in grades 9-12 came out for the team after ending the last season with 40 players on the roster.
"We were hoping for closer to 50 players this year, but a number of freshmen and sophomores chose not to play this year," explained Battaglia.
The Bulldogs open at home on Friday, Aug. 31, against last year's section champion, Barnum.
"It will be a very good test for us to see if we'll be competitive in the conference," said Battaglia. "Coach Haley has built Barnum into a perennial conference power."
