22 THE RIVER VALLEY REPORT FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.11.2024

KEVIN TAYLOR

SPECIAL TO RIVER VALLEY DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Charleston’ s 7-5 record from a year ago might have been the most misleading final numbers for any team in Arkansas.

On the heels of the team’ s sixth state title since 2005, Charleston coach Ricky May’ s nonconference schedule included 13-1 Elkins, 8-4 Nashville and 10-3 Ozark.

The Tigers finished 6-1 in 3A-1 play and defeated Barton in the opening round of postseason play before running into a streaking Bismarck team.

But there was a silver lining, May and the Tigers discovered, with the team posting a 5-2 record after losing starting quarterback Carter Little in the sixth week of the season.

“ We were fortunate enough to win the state championship two years ago, and Booneville came back and won it last year, and Mansfield went to the( 2023) semifinals. How hard is it? The good thing about our conference was that it was a little weak in the past, and that wasn’ t necessarily a good thing when you got ready for the playoffs,” May said.“ But you go through our conference now and you’ re ready. I feel like from top to bottom if it’ s not the toughest, it’ s one of the toughest in the state.”

Little is back itching to go. To make things better, he still has two years of eligibility remaining.

“ We’ re going to miss Reese Merechka and Hunter Little,” May said.“ They were our leaders for three years, but the good thing is we got to play a lot of sophomores last year, which hopefully will pay dividends this year, at least in theory.

“( But) the big issue is we don’ t have a lot of depth. We need to stay healthy if we can, which got us early last year.”

Charleston’ s 2022 state title run gave the Tigers six rings in 17 years, with three different coaches— Doug Loughridge, Greg Kendrick, and Ricky May— hoisting trophies.

But to contend for another title, much less survive the brutal beast that is the 3A-1, Charleston will rely on a strong junior class, led by Carter Little, who passed for 1,226 yards and 12 touchdowns in just 5 1 / 2 games last fall.

Among Little’ s big offensive weapons figure to be junior Maddix Terry( 6-foot-2, 195 pounds), who snagged 52 passes for 460 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, and running back Garred Smithson, who is in line to replace the aforementioned Merechka.

Two-star star David McKamie is back on the offensive and defensive lines, and hard-hitting safety Emiliano Gaona added 47 tackles last season. He’ ll also see time at receiver( 35 receptions for 439 yards and three touchdowns).

LAST SEASON 7-5, 6-1 3A-1 Conference COACH Ricky May( 6th year, 44-17)

CHARLESTON TIGERS

RETURNING STARTERS 5 offense, 5 defense

In all, Charleston returns five offensive and five defensive starters from last season.

“ For us, it all starts with Carter Little,” May said.“ Our best lineman is David McKamie( 5-8, 230), who will start on both sides of the ball, and we have Maddix Terry, a really good sophomore receiver last year. We’ re expecting big things from Emiliano Gaona( 5-8, 150), too, another really good two-way player.”

KEY PLAYERS QB Carter Little( Jr., 6-1, 175), OL / DL David McKamie( Sr., 5-8, 230), WR / S Emiliano Gaona( Jr. 5-8, 150), RB Garred Smithson( Jr., 5-8, 158), OL / DL Ryan Turner( Sr., 6-0, 185), CB Ayden Kilpatrick( Sr., 5-6, 145), WR Maddix Terry( Jr., 6-2, 195)

*— Denotes 3A-1 Conference game. All kickoffs at 7 p. m. unless noted

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