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football night in charlotteButler BulldogsThe great news for Butler coachMike Newsome is that his Bulldogsbroke through last season and defeatedarchrival Independence during theregular season, claiming a share of theSouthwestern 4A conference title.The bad news?Most of the key players from thatsquad are gone – 14 who will playcollege football this fall, to be exact.So why in the world was Newsomesmiling after preseason practices?“We’re not going to change ourexpectations,” he said. “We’re going todemand the same from our kids – andexpect the same.“Overall, we’ve got a good group ofButler junior running back Markel Moore gets thechance to carry a bigger load for the Bulldogs thisseason. John Dykstra/CW photokids. We’ve got some kids comingback who are extremely talented butjust don’t have a whole lot of experience.We’ve had so many guys whohave been starting for three years. It’simportant for us to gain experience inthe preseason, the scrimmage gamesand the nonconference games so wecan be ready to play in this toughconference.”OFFENSEIt’s safe to say no one is feelingsorry for Newsome, especially sincehe returns an offensive line even headmits is “really, really good.” Theunit is led by tackle Tyler Kell and tightend DeShaun McCutcheon.Newsome believes the Bulldogs’running game will surprise people. Hesaid junior Markel Moore should havegotten more carries last season. Thisyear, the young man will get themwhile sharing time with power runnerHawatha Bell, who also is the team’sstar linebacker.The Bulldogs have a major task inreplacing record-setting quarterbackJacob Charest, now at the University ofIllinois. In preseason camp, junior JayHitselberger and sophomore ChristianLeMay were having a fierce competitionfor the starting job. Hitselbergerled last year’s junior varsity team to anundefeated record, while LeMay wasthe 2007 starter at Porter Ridge High inUnion County.Whoever wins the job has a reliablereceiver in Nate Charest, Jacob’syounger brother, who Newsome said“is going to be a special talent for us.”DEFENSEThis unit all starts with Bell, thehighly recruited linebacker. He’llhave help in the midfield, though,with Jacob Davis, Jacob Haynes andnewcomer Alex Polofski, a top prospectwho started on varsity as a sophomorein football-rich Atlanta last year.Up front, Eric Connor, AlanteTuppins and McCutcheon are expectedto be outright pillars.How do the Bulldogs replace theloss of defensive backs Spencer Adams(Clemson), Robert Blanton (NotreDame) and Eddie Whitley (VirginiaTech)? Well, they probably won’t. Butdefensive coordinator Steve Shaughnessylikes his 2008 group led bytalented Marcel Sargent, who willbe joined at cornerback by AnthonyMcGill. Craig Ray and Tyler Bullockshould see time at safety.SPECIAL TEAMSSenior Matt Cornelius, a collegeprospect, will handle punting duties.Soccer player Kyle Searles returns tohandle the placekicking, while VaughnBandy will take care of kickoffs.Anthony Short will be one of the topreturn men.— C. Jemal HortonFAST FACTSHead coach: Mike Newsome,sixth season (48-17)Returning starters:Offense, 4; defense, 3Conference: Southwestern 4A2007 record: 10-3, 6-12008 SCHEDULEAug. 29 ..............North MecklenburgSept. 5................... ...........at VanceSept. 12.................................BerrySept. 19.................at West CharlotteSept. 26........................ Ardrey KellOct. 3.............................ProvidenceOct. 10........................at Myers ParkOct. 17.................. East MecklenburgOct. 24............ at South MecklenburgOct. 31........................ WeddingtonNov. 7........................IndependenceCharlotte Catholic CougarsFor longtime Charlotte Catholic headcoach Jim Oddo, there are no excuses.It doesn’t matter that the Cougarshave completely revamped theirheralded backfield after the departureof stalwart running backs Wes Stringfield,R.J. Sweeney and quarterbackChristian Culicerto.Senior classes are like shark teeth atCatholic: When one falls out, there arerows of replacements waiting – waitingfor their shot to chew up the competition.“We say, ‘Just keep the tradition,’”explained Oddo.OFFENSEDespite the key player losses, theCougars seem ready to carry on theirtradition of running the ball usingOddo’s “Multi-Wing Wing-T.” SeniorJoseph Felts should put up majoryards this season at fullback aftercoming on strong late last season.He’ll be complemented by – and willcomplement – two halfbacks: speedback Jadarius Bruce and a platoon ofother players, including senior JohnnyO’Boyle and junior Angelo Acitelli.Junior quarterback Danny Reyes willbe asked to orchestrate the offense.The only player on the line whoRunning back Joseph Feltsis expected to make severaltrips to the end zone forCharlotte Catholic thisseason. Tim Steadman/CW photoisn’t a senior isNick White, theCougars’ juniorcenter. He will beflanked by guardsAdam Guess andGerald Rimmer.Griffith Shapackwill line up atleft tackle and bejoined by PatrickHutson on theother side.The Cougarshave a number ofreceiving threatsthis year, startingwith tight endTucker Windle.The University ofVirginia signeeprovides a bigtarget and runswell, which will give the young Reyesa nice safety valve. O’Boyle, Bruce andjunior tight end Ryan Gibbons shouldget their yards as well.DEFENSEThe defense will show a variety offronts, placing as many as six playersat the line of scrimmage. Senior MarkMoll will take the lead at nose guard,while senior Andrew Muller, Guess,Rummel, Acitelli and senior end NickGatto all will share duties.Windle provides security at linebacker,blending speed and power thatshould make inside runs difficult. He’llbe joined by fellow senior Ben Hebert.There’s no shortage of players availableto line up in the secondary. Expectto see juniors Matt Sawyer and MattTomsho at cornerback, along withThomas Deschenes. All three spenttime on junior varsity last season, soexpect O’Boyle to provide leadershipin the back, especially early.SPECIAL TEAMSThe Cougars will be set on specialteams. Senior Mike McLendon is animpressive kicker and should be oneof the top in the state this season.“He’s an unbelievable punter,” Oddosaid. “He gets a four-second hang timeevery time.”Oddo’s still looking for the rightmixture of players in the return game,but don’t be surprised to see Felts,Bruce, O’Boyle or Josh Campbell allon the job.— Aaron GarciaFAST FACTSHead coach: Jim Oddo, 35th seasonReturning starters:Offense, 2; defense, 5Conference: Queen City 3A/4A2007 Record: 13-3, 6-02008 SCHEDULEAug. 22 .......... at South MecklenburgAug. 29....................... at Myers ParkSept. 5............ Charlotte Country DaySept. 12..................... Charlotte LatinSept. 19.................. at North GastonSept. 26.............................OlympicOct. 3............................ at WaddellOct. 17.................Harding UniversityOct. 24........... at West MecklenburgOct. 31........... at South MecklenburgNov. 7..................at Berry Academy8 Fall 2008 • Charlotte Weekly www.thecharlotteweekly.com