Warren Harding eyes redemption after rough 2013

August 24, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

WARREN

Redemption!

The simple, one-word motto has turned the Warren G. Harding football players and coaching staff into an anxious bunch, eager to kick off the 2014 season.

Following a 9-2 finish in Steve Arnold’s first season as head coach in 2012, the Raiders were never able to get on track a year ago. Their 4-5 finish included three straight losses, followed by the cancellation of a scheduled week 10 game against Lorain amid safety concerns throughout the city of Warren.

“I think everyone in our program spent the off-season thinking about the way the season started [with a 48-0 loss to Austintown Fitch] and how it ended,” Arnold said. “We all want a shot at redemption, because last year simply wasn’t acceptable if you’re a Warren fan or a player or coach.

“This year there was a lot more focus beginning with winter conditioning and lasting all through the summer. You could sense a renewed sense of commitment from top to bottom.”

OFFENSE

The Raiders must replace two-year starting quarterback Lamar Carmichael. The good news is that there are a number of candidates. Freshman Samari Dean, sophomore Lynn Williams and junior Anthony Brocious are all getting an opportunity to prove themselves in camp. The bad news is that whoever lands the job will be making his first start at the varsity level.

“It’s no easy task, because it all starts with the guy under center,” Arnold said. “He’s your leader, he’s the one who runs the show. But whoever we turn to, we’ll do so knowing he earned the opportunity to guide the offense.”

A deep and experienced backfield led by junior Keemari Murry (1,050 rushing yards, nine touchdowns as a sophomore), Kane Murray, Stanly Sitani and Kalen Simpson should help ease the burden of the new field general. Meanwhile, the offensive line returns three starters, including Iowa recruit James Daniels. The 6-foot-4, 304-pound senior earned All-Ohio special mention as a junior.

DEFENSE

A defensive line led by Daniels, senior Javon Provitt (6-3, 305) and junior Kaleb Jones brings experience and leadership to an otherwise untested defense.

“We have a very talented sophomore group who will be fighting for positions, but playing at seven o’clock on a Friday night is a lot different than playing on Saturday morning,” Arnold said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how things pan out.”

Arnold said Warren fans should expect to see “a more aggressive defense, one which will fly to the ball.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

Junior kicker Nate Marchek and senior punter Hasan Muhammad will spearhead the Raiders’ kicking game.

“We went through some growing pains last year, but these two men both return after gaining a year of experience, and that should help tremendously,” Arnold said. “Special teams really are a third of the game, so it is imperative that we are solid in all phases from kickoffs to our return men.”

OUTLOOK

There is cautious optimism within the Harding camp. The varsity roster includes 77 players, which is a high-water mark for Arnold. And while just four full-time starters return, there is enough talent and depth to make the Raiders a very competitive club if they remain healthy.

The big concern is the youth.

“It’s a process to get to where we want to be, but at the same time our young guys have to grow up in a hurry because there are no soft spots on our schedule,” Arnold said.

Harding opens up with out-of-conference games against Austintown Fitch, Howland and Massillon.

“That’s three huge rivalry games right out of the gate,” Arnold said. “That would be a huge challenge for any team in the state. But one thing it’s done, it has made the offseason all the more focused.”

Roster

1Nate MarchekK5-10155Jr.

3Marlin RichardsonWR5-10165So.

4Juwan PringleDB6-0170Jr.

5Stanly SitaniLB6-2225Jr.

6Mark HerronWR6-4180Jr.

7Kane MurrayLB5-10205Sr.

8Eric RoysterWR5-8160Sr.

9Nazzarion BatteeLB6-2185So.

10Samari DeanQB5-10165Fr.

11Chris ClarkeDB5-10160Jr.

12Hassan MuhammadLB6-3190Sr.