It could not have been clearer to Central Arkansas Christian Coach Tommy Shoemaker what his team needed for a turnaround from its 4-6 finish last season.
"Our biggest thing has been getting better on defense," Shoemaker said. "Offensively, we have traditionally been fine moving the ball, and I feel like we probably have as good of weapons as we've had since I've been here.
CAC Mustangs
COACH Tommy Shoemaker
CONFERENCE 2-4A
2013 RECORD 4-6, 2-5 (7-4A)
KEY RETURNERS Senior end/defensive back Stephen Flanigan, junior quarterback Kaylob Scallon, sophomore quarterback Noah Evans, junior running back Braylon Harris, senior linebacker Jackson Kirby
SCHEDULE
Sept. 2;Arkansas Baptist
Sept. 12;at Pulaski Robinson
Sept. 19;at Valley View
Sept. 26;Riverview
Oct. 3;Helena-WH Central
Oct. 10;Heber Springs
Oct. 17;at Southside Batesville
Oct. 24;Lonoke
Oct. 31;at Newport
"I feel offensively we're there. We just have to be a little better on defenses."
CAC gave up an average of 42.6 points a game last season and missed the Class 4A state playoffs, but Shoemaker believes a combination of newcomers -- including sophomores from CAC's 2013 junior high school team that went 9-1 -- and upperclass leadership should help his Mustangs slow the opposition.
"We had a really good junior high team, so we have really high expectations from that group," Shoemaker said. "They're still young. The don't have high school experience, so it's a different deal, but they figured that out in the spring when everyone started running into each other. They're growing up fast."
Shoemaker said he was confident his defensive backfield would be improved with help from, among others, sophomore Josh Johnson.
"He's a very good cover corner and a solid No. 1 for us," he said.
CAC must replace 2013 starter Jack Thomas, who graduated after passing for 3,088 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Shoemaker said he is uncertain who will start at quarterback in the opener against Arkansas Baptist on Tuesday at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, but that the two contenders are junior Kaylob Scallon and sophomore Noah Evans.
"I have a lot of confidence in both of them," Shoemaker said. "I feel like they'll both do a great job for us."
Both will get assistance from junior running back Braylon Harris, who rushed for eight touchdowns and more than 600 yards last season, and senior end Stephen Flanigan. Flanigan caught 37 passes for 664 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
"He's our big-play guy at wide receiver," Shoemaker said. "He has great hands. He's a good leaper. I think he's a tough matchup for people in the secondary."
Shoemaker said several skill players, including seniors Zac Lilly and Preston Barnett and sophomores Cam Glaze and Hunter Corbell, should help on offense.
Shoemaker's confidence in CAC's defense is solid. He has 42 players available, up from 32 last season, and he said most will be expected to contribute on both sides the scrimmage line. He said he believes Jackson Kirby, a senior linebacker who transferred from Little Rock Catholic, will make significant contributions along with Flanigan in the defensive backfield.
"Obviously at the first of the year everyone's excited," Shoemaker said. "I think everyone's optimistic that if we can stay healthy, we'll be very competitive."
Sports on 08/27/2014