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Warren expects big results from big wide-receiver

One Division I wide-receiver talent has graduated and been replaced by another.

Which means Jose Carrasco, gladly, has a new challenge this season.

"I'm not scared," Carrasco said of going up in practice every day against super-talented sophomore Micah Jones.

Carrasco stands 5 feet 8 and weighs 145 pounds. Jones is 6'4" and growing, and already has scholarship offers from Iowa, Northwestern and Vanderbilt, even though he played sophomore football last year.

"He's huge," said Carrasco, who started at cornerback for the Blue Devils last season and had 4 interceptions. "You got to put your hands on him. You have to get in his body a little bit. We go at it all day, every day."

And Carrasco couldn't be more impressed with Jones.

"He's got a huge frame and radius," Carrasco said. "He can go up and get balls where I can't, but I try my best. That kid's going to be a great player."

Thanks to players like Carrasco, wide receiver Caleb Reams and running back Darrius Crump, Warren had a great 2014. While Reams is now playing for Illinois after catching 10 touchdown passes last fall, the additions of Jones and others figure to keep the Blue Devils competitive again. They went 7-3 in Bryan McNulty's first season as head coach last year.

"We got a lot of really good football players here," McNulty said. "We got good numbers. The kids lift. It's a good football culture around here. The community really gets into it. I think we're going to be fine."

A varsity starter for Carmel as a sophomore, Crump (5-8) returns in the backfield after rushing for 1,670 yards and 13 TDs in his first year as a Blue Devil.

"He's every bit of 205 (pounds)," McNulty said. "He's looking good. He's thick."

Junior Melvin Pettis will run the ball too, while junior Wes Weinberg (the son of Lyons coach Kurt Weinberg) will start at fullback. Senior VaShaun Wright, who rushed for 600 yards last season, moves to middle linebacker.

When camp started, seniors Giorgio Mantzoros and Kyle Debevec and junior Lucas Schmitt were battling for the starting quarterback position.

"We got a good run game, and we got two guys coming back on the offensive line," McNulty said.

Back on the O-line are beefy seniors Eric Nielsen (6-6, 270) and Cole Anderson (6-5, 270). The pair started every game last season, with Anderson seeing time at tackle, guard and center. Both players will play tackle this season. Senior Sergio Sosa started about four games at guard last year, McNulty said.

Even with Crump expected to run the ball a lot again, the Blue Devils will want to get the ball to Jones.

"He's really long," McNulty said. "He's every bit of 6-4, 6-5, 190. Really well put together. Kind of a quiet kid. Really technically sound. He's used to playing up levels.

"For his age, he's really technically sound. Usually kids (his age), when they're that good, they're raw."

Senior wide receiver Zach Schultz gives the Blue Devils another good athlete and physically strong player.

The defensive secondary has experience with Carrasco and strong safety Jalen Powe, who recently picked up an offer from Minnesota State Moorhead, as did defensive lineman Eric Yunker, McNulty said.

Defensive lineman Willie Rosales (6-0, 270) started every game last season, Yunker saw regular action as well. Senior Jeremiah Harris (6-3, 280) will play nose. The captain of the defense is senior linebacker Max Kravitz, who played starter minutes last season.

"He's very smart," Carrasco said.

The Blue Devils were tough defensively last season, allowing just 167 points in 10 games and recording a pair of shutouts. They look to play with the same tenacity and physicality this fall.

"(The defense) is looking great," Carrasco said. "In all honesty, it's looking better than last year maybe. We got a strong linebacking corps."

  Defensive back Jose Carrasco fights off a block during football practice at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Running back Darrius Crump catches the ball during practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Head coach Bryan McNulty talks to players during practice at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Players take a water break during practice at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Head coach Bryan McNulty keeps a watchful eye on his players during practice at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Receiver Micah Jones waits for the ball during football practice at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  LB Max Kravitz, right, fights off a block during football practice at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Quarterback Kyle Debevec throws during football practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Quarterback Lucas Schmidt throws during football practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Defensive back Jose Carrasco gets ready to field a punt during practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Defensive players go through drills during football practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Players take a water break during football practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Coach Bryan McNulty talks to his defense during football practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
  Players scrimmage during football practice Wednesday at Warren. Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
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