Carmel Corsairs think they're ready

Young in years doesn't necessarily mean wet behind the ears.

Just ask Carmel coach Andy Bitto.

He's got some young players who will play on both sides of the football this season, but it's not like they won't know what hit them.

Most of the youngest Corsairs already have quite a bit of varsity experience under their belts.

"Because we've been able to advance as much as we have in the playoffs in recent years, it's helping us a lot for the next year," said Bitto, whose Corsairs made it to the Class 7A quarterfinals last season. "You get a month more of practices and games and you can bring your younger kids with you.

"We've literally been able to build off of prior years for the future."

And as usual, the future looks bright at Carmel.

The Corsairs have a nice combination of proven talent and athletic promise.

"We're going to be very athletic," Bitto said. "We have a lot of options because of that even though we'll also be very young at certain positions."

One spot that is filled with an old face is running back, where 5-foot-5 senior spark plug Eric Stevenson returns.

"He's going to be the main guy in our rushing game," Bitto said of Stevenson. "He's quick and he's hard to hit."

At the opposite end of the spectrum, in both size and age is Matt Maher. The 5-foot-10 sophomore will start at fullback.

Stevenson and Maher will run behind an experienced line that includes David Steele, Jack Hartnett and Mickey Baucus, a 6-foot-8, 265-pound senior who will follow his older brother Jack to Arizona to play football.

"Mickey has like a 7-foot wingspan," Bitto said. "He's huge."

Ditto for Maher. He's big too, by Carmel backfield standards.

"At 5-foot-10, (Maher) is a giant for us at fullback," Bitto said. "He's really strong for a sophomore and really smart. He's worked hard (to start)."

Meanwhile, Bitto has struggled all preseason to figure out who will start at quarterback. He's got two great options in senior Larry Amato and junior Brian Serio.

Amato started two games at the end of last year when mono took out starter Andrew Nerup. Amato throws a good ball and has experience on his side.

Serio's upside is that he's athletic and fast.

Because both bring so much to the table, Bitto could very well institute a quarterback rotation.

"We run the ball," Bitto said. "But we also have to be able to throw the ball more effectively."

Either way, the Corsairs will probably be able figure out how to put points on the scoreboard. Over the last nine years, Carmel has averaged 35 points per game.

Figure that running back Christian Nemeth and wide receiver Matt Felicelli will also do plenty to keep that trend alive.

Defensively, Carmel is strongest on the line with the return of three-year starter Steven Lester (6-foot-3, 265 pounds), who is receiving offers from Division I schools, and Connor Sexson (6-foot-3, 245 pounds).

CARMEL CORSAIRS

Coach: Andy Bitto (12th season)

2008 record: 10-2

2008 playoffs: Lost to Geneva (35-21) in Class 7A quarterfinals