GIBSONTON – After missing most of the 2011 season with a broken leg, East Bay quarterback Chris Carpentier would be the first to tell you he has some big expectations for his team.
The Indians’ record (4-7) from 2011 may not look all that impressive, but it was the close games that told the tale. From a three point loss to Steinbrenner, to a one point loss to region finalist Gaither, Carpentier knows the postseason wasn’t ever out of reach for the team.
“The sky is the limit for us,” Carpentier said. “Coach (Frank) Larosa would always tell us, ‘You have to play in close games before you win close games’ and we did that.”
While he missed most of the season with the injury, Carpentier was able to rebound and participate in the final two games of the season against Brandon and Strawberry Crest. He says the hardest part about those two games was getting back in shape mentally.
“There’s a few times that I would always double doubt myself, but I wasn’t too worried,” said Carpentier, who is also a member of the Indians’ track team and a member of the varsity basketball team which finished 20-5 this year.
Carpentier started his high school career as a defensive back with the Indians, a position he hadn’t played too often and it often showed according to him. After being moved into the quarterback position last season, he felt it was his time to shine not only at his position, but as a motivator for the team too.
“I had played quarterback all my life,” Carpentier said. “Football has been a big part of my life and it has always made me a leader.”
Things seemed to be going well for Carpentier all throughout East Bay’s spring practices. According to him, he was hitting his targets and beginning to mesh with the offense behind center. But before the Preseason Kickoff Classic against Chamberlain, he broke a bone in his right leg and the three sport athlete was taken out of commission for two months.
However the sophomore battled and worked to get back into shape to lead the team to a victory over the Chargers on Nov. 10.
“I went to the weight room and started running to get my legs stronger,” said Carpentier. “I’m not worried about them.”
East Bay’s original starting quarterback Tajee Fullwood left the program after last season and transferred to Class 7A-District 7 champion Tampa Bay Tech to tryout for the same position there. That leaves the Indians with just one QB headed into camp, Carpentier.
“It’s nothing I can’t do, but I know I have some pretty big shoes to fill,” Carpentier said. “I can do the best that I can do.”
After the Indians’ dismal 1-10 season in 2010 under former coach Brian Thornton, not many outside the campus community imagined they would compete for a playoff spot. But after the team amassed a competitive year, Carpentier says the team is finally ready to get to the next level.
“My expectations are high and I feel really good,” Carpentier said. “I definitely like the underdog role. People overlooked us (last season) and it hurt them. I don’t want to throw out any records or anything, but I think we’ll have enough to win a district title.”
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