Team preview: Choctawhatchee

By TRAVIS DOWNEY

travisd@nwfdailynews.com

FORT WALTON BEACH - First-year Choctawhatchee coach Greg Thomas knows the importance of line play when it comes to winning football games.

 A four-year letter winner and two-year starting offensive lineman at East Carolina University, Thomas doesn't just preach the power of the trenches - he's lived it.

"That's where your foundation is," Thomas said. "In your line."

Heading into the 2008 season, the Indians return a pair of linemen with college potential in seniors Jordan Davis and Terren Jones.

Unfortunately, little else returns in the way of experience, leaving the Indians lacking battle-tested veterans along the front lines.

"We're a young offensive line," Thomas said. "Whether we're inexperienced, under-sized and we don't have much depth."

Matt King is penciled in at left tackle. Senior Hunter McCarthy is expected to start at left guard with junior Cody Jay providing depth. Junior Donald Henderson is at center while Trey Ellison is expected to share right guard duties with Davis.

Jones in entrenched at the Indians' right tackle spot.

"Our guys are getting better," Thomas said. "We're a lot better than we were in the spring, but we have a ways to go."

Senior David Weber will start the season under center for the Indians.

Weber, a 6-foot, 170-pound quarterback, emerged from spring training as the Indians' most viable option and gives Thomas a mobile signal-caller.

"I wouldn't consider Dave a pocket quarterback, so we're going to have to try to do some things to get him out of the pocket," Thomas said.

Sophomore Jesse Adams will be the primary backup.

The running back position is loaded with options.

 Le'Keefe Robinson, Jackie Bush and Freddie Gray head the list of what Thomas said should be a busy backfield.

"They can all play," Thomas said.

Wide receiver was one area that Thomas pointed to as a pleasant surprise entering fall camp.

Justin Savage and Ryan Kelley lead a receiving corps that adds depth with Devontee Lawson and Zach Morgan.

"Those guys have really stepped up," Thomas noted.

"I think those (four) guys are going to be the focal point of our receiving corps."

Robby Keefe, voted a team captain this offseason, is the starter at tight end, a position that Thomas said will figure into the Indians' game-plan as both a blocker and pass catcher.

On defense, Thomas believes the depth is slightly better than it is on offense, but the line is still thin in areas.

Juniors Kenny Barnes, Paul Spikes, Ryan Born and sophomore Ben Addison make up a group of defensive ends.

Inside, John Crenshaw is expected to start at nose guard while Davis lines up at tackle. Both interior spots will be backed up by Jarrod Hunt and Robert Carrillo.

Travis Holland and Alec Schubele are listed atop the depth chart at the Indians' linebacker spots while returning starters Taylor Kelley and Phillip Roebuck headline the defensive backfield.

Zane Mills will start at free safety while Brandon Williams will man the other cornerback position. Depth comes in the form of Max Curtis, Shawn Carmical, Jackie Bush and Dexter Zackery.

With a unit that returns four starters from a year ago, Thomas believes the defense - as is the case with the rest of the team - will improve as the season progresses.

"We just need experience and some playing time," Thomas said.