Talent surplus bodes well for Carmel

There's been no shortage of talented backs headlining Carmel's signature option offense over the years.

But this year's crop could be in a class of its own. "This is probably the fastest and most athletic combination we've ever had at quarterback and fullback at the same time," Carmel coach Andy Bitto said. "We'll be able to play around with their skills set and dynamically, I think it's going to really affect what defenses will be able to do against us."

Starting at quarterback will be senior Zavier Barnes, who was a halfback last season but missed some games due to injury. His partner in crime in the option offense will be fullback Rondel Jamison, who was an all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection in 2014. Jamison rushed for 1,462 yards on 212 carries for a 6.9-yard average. He also ran for 18 touchdowns.

Jamison has gotten faster and bigger during the off-season, which should strike fear into Carmel's opponents, many of whom were caught off guard by Jamison's productivity last year as just a sophomore.

"The St. Pat's coach texted me at one point last year and was like, 'Where did you get No. 7?' " Bitto said with a laugh. "I think Rondel was kind of surprise like that last year. He was hurt a little as a freshman and then he came on as a sophomore and had the kind of year he did.

"With that full season under his belt, he's got more confidence and now, he's making better reads and understanding the offense even better. His commitment in the weight room over the off-season has also really helped him. The kid is chiseled."

What will make Jamison and Barnes even more effective is that they'll have holes to run through that will be opened by two Division I recruits. Senior Sean Foster is a 6-foot-7, 285-pound tackle who will be playing college ball at Minnesota. He was an all-East Suburban Catholic Conference selection last season. Meanwhile, 6-foot-3, 240-pound tight end Noah Turner will be going to North Carolina. He also made the all-conference team last year.

"We're excited about those two," Bitto said of Foster and Turner, who can also be a threat as a receiver with his soft hands. "The best thing about them is that when you get the kind of attention they have at such a young age, sometimes you see kids who become way too full of themselves. These guys are the opposite. They're at practice every day busting their humps. Noah is going to play both ways, Sean always jumps in on our scout teams. They just work really hard."

Defensively, the Corsairs return four starters, including linebackers Will Hoffman and Remy Chitwood. Chitwood is known for his leadership.

"He's kind of like a player-coach," Bitto said of Chitwood. "He plays hard all the time, he's the best hitter on the team, he's the leader of the defense. He goes 100 miles an hour on every play."

The Corsairs will have to jump out of the gates that fast to keep up in the rugged East Suburban Catholic Conference. Their first league game is against perennial power Joliet Catholic.

"We'll know really early where we're at," Bitto said. "Our conference is so competitive. We finished 5-2 last year (in the ESCC) and took third. We've got to beat Joliet Catholic and Benet early to have a shot at winning the conference this year."