inside: - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

football night in charlotteCharlotte Country Day BucsWith 12 starters back from a teamthat posted a 9-3 record and overcamerampant injuries well enough to reachthe state semifinals last year, privateschoolfootball fans were expectinggreat things from Charlotte CountryDay in 2008.So what does Bucs coach BobWitman do?He comes up with one of the mostdaunting schedules any N.C. IndependentAthletic Association team willhave this season.The Bucs’ schedule includesMichael Watterson will fill many roles for CharlotteCountry Day. John Dykstra/CW photomatchups with N.C. 3A public schoolMarvin Ridge; 3A state runner-up andrival Charlotte Catholic; reigning WestVirginia Class AA state championBluefield High; and college-prospectladenVictory Christian.All this before the Bucs even beginheated play in the Charlotte IndependentSchools Athletic Association.“We’re always excited for a newseason, but one thing I’ve been tellingour boys is that we have, without adoubt, the strongest schedule we’veever had at Charlotte Country Day,”Witman said.“We have a considerable amount ofreturning players, but we’re particularlyshort at certain positions, especiallyon the interior line. It should beinteresting.”OFFENSESenior quarterback Hedley Jenningsreturns to head the Bucs’ normally efficientoffense. Running back MichaelWatterson is athletically gifted, andhe’ll carry the load on the groundwhile junior Chris Shembo recoversfrom a preseason camp injury.The wide receivers are sound. Sixfoot,170-pound senior Nick Kamererwill provide leadership, while juniorsMiles Boardman and Tate Bloomer tryto take off. Bloomer played quarterbacklast year after moving up from thejunior varsity but has shown promiseat his new position.Senior John Benson is a 6-2,270-pound All-State selection who willbe joined by 6-3, 230-pound seniorAaron Arant and 5-10, 230-poundguard Sam Salvato along the line.Several players will see time on bothsides of the ball.DEFENSEEnd Kip Haddock, who had 33tackles last year, is as tough as theycome. He has great support behindhim, thanks to the linebacker corps,which is paced by Jack Carroll (72tackles last season), Vic Showalter(67), Watterson (55) and Hill Hamrick(43).Ladd Hamrick is expected to have astrong season at safety.SPECIAL TEAMSThe versatile Jennings will handlepunting duties. Two players, BenRhyne and Luke Lovett, will battle forthe kicking responsibilities, but thecompetition won’t hit full steam untilLovett returns from an injury.The athletic Bloomer could be theearly leader in the race to find anoption on punt and kick returns.— C. Jemal HortonFAST FACTSHead coach: Bob Witman, 19th season(163-43)Returning starters: Offense, 6;defense, 6Conference: Charlotte IndependentSchools Athletic Association2007 record: 9-3, 1-22008 SCHEDULEAug. 22............. Mount Zion ChristianAug. 29.................. Augusta ChristianSept. 5.............Westminster CatawbaSept. 12..................at Asheville HighSept. 26............................ Jireh PrepOct. 3.........................Charlotte LatinOct. 10.............. at Northern GuilfordOct. 17........at Charlotte Country DayOct. 24...........................RavenscroftOct. 31................. at Providence DayA ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE. EVERY DAY.Visit the science lab.Learn French and Spanish.Perform in a play.Something new every dayADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSESDIVERSITY: OCTOBER 1, 7 P.M.JK/K: OCTOBER 14 & 21, 7 P.M.RSVP (704) 943-4500Charlotte Country Day School1440 Carmel Road Charlotte, NC 28226 (704) 943-4530Grades JK–12 / Tuition assistance available.www.charlottecountryday.org10 Fall 2008 • Charlotte Weekly www.thecharlotteweekly.com