SALISBURY POST
CARSON COUGARS
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 • 17D
jon c. lakey/SALISBURY POST
Things might open up for tight end Dylan Eagle, left, because defenses will be paying a lot of attention on wide receiver Cody Clanton (17).
CARSON FROM 16D Carson possesses a talented senior trio of quarterback Zack Gragg, running back Shaun Warren and receiver Cody Clanton. Gragg threw for 1,456 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, when Clanton broke through with 1,096 yards and 12 touchdowns on 47 receptions. Warren unofficially ranked 18th in the state with 1,977 rushing yards, and he reached the end zone 20 times. “If I don’t screw them up they’ll be OK,” Woody said with a laugh. “That’s a special bunch. “What’s even more pleasing is their mentality, how humble those kids are and how they pull for each other. They want to have success for the team.” Woody said he can just step back at practice and
jon c. lakey/SALISBURY POST
One of Carson’s strengths is its defensive line, led by, from left, Garrett Smith, Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Shoaf. watch Gragg run Carson’s two-minute offense because he has such good command of
it. Clanton, a 6-foot-3 basketball standout who decided to
give football a try last year, is drawing attention from FCS (formerly Division I-AA)
and FBS schools. A combination of size, speed and sure hands helped him eclipse 100 yards in five of the Cougars’ last 10 games of 2009. “I’m glad he’s on our side because I wouldn’t want to defend him,” Woody said. “He’s going to run by you, stop and make a play, do something to get open, then he’s going to catch the ball. “Talent-wise, he’s as good as I’ve ever seen in high school catching the ball.” Warren, listed at 5-7 and 175 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. He went over 100 yards 10 times as a junior and peaked with a 273yard performance in a tight loss to East Rowan. Woody said Elon and Wofford have expressed interest in Warren. “Believe it or not, I think he’s gotten quicker,” Woody said. “He’s been in the weight room, gotten stronger, and he understands the offense. The
See CARSON, 18D