Charleston’s makeover catches eye of Glen Rose

Glen Rose sophomore tailback Carlos Burton (23) has rushed for 1,668 yards and 22 touchdowns on 145 carries entering Friday night’s Class 3A quarterfinal game against Charleston.

Glen Rose sophomore tailback Carlos Burton (23) has rushed for 1,668 yards and 22 touchdowns on 145 carries entering Friday night’s Class 3A quarterfinal game against Charleston.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

— Glen Rose Coach Mark Kehner said Charleston has undergone a dramatic makeover since the Beavers’ last trip there for a 2007 Class 3A semifinal playoff game en route to the state championship.

“Totally different,” Kehner said. “They really chunk it around now.”

Long noted for prolific rushing and hardnosed defense, Charleston’s new look has carried the Tigers into Friday’s Class 3A quarterfinals at home against Glen Rose.

Glen Rose (11-1) is No. 1 in Class 3A and riding an 11-game winning streak. Defending state champion Charleston (9-2) is No. 6 in Class 3A.

The Tigers also won state championships in 2005 and 2008 and could be the team to beat next fall since they have only three seniors.

Charleston has completely flipped the script offensively because of heralded sophomore quarterback Ty Storey, who has already shattered every major passing record at the school. Storey, 6-3, 217 pounds, has completed 296 of 446 passes for 4,022 yards and 45 touchdowns.

“He’s a full-grown man,” Kehner said. “We’re going to try and get after him.”

Storey’s favorite target, junior wide receiver Chance Shelby, has caught 74 passes for 1,174 yards and 17 touchdowns. Shelby is the first player in school history to have 1,000 receiving yards in a season.

The Tigers are averaging 439.6 total yards per game — 370.1 passing.

“They do a great job, and those kids believe in what they’re doing,” Kehner said.

Glen Rose has been challenged only twice this fall, losing 31-28 to Class 4A power Malvern in the season opener and beating conference rival Fountain Lake 7-6 on Oct. 12.

Glen Rose advanced with victories over Elkins (49-7) and Camden Harmony Grove (35-0).

“They’ve been No. 1 all year and rightfully so,” Charleston Coach Doug Loughridge said. “They’ve got lots and lots of experience back, a great senior class and great tradition the last five or six years.”

Senior quarterback Collin Hunter, a threeyear starter, has completed 105 of 172 passes for 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. Senior tailback Dillon Coney has rushed 93 times for 658 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing four games with a broken hand.

Tailback Carlos Burton has emerged as one of the state’s top sophomores with 1,668 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 145 carries. Burton’s rushing total is believed to be a sophomore school record, surpassing Kehner’s son, Steven, who ran for 1,573 yards in 2008.

Conversely, Charleston starts two freshmen. Only two seniors start.

“Glen Rose was expected to be here, and we’re glad where we’re at,” Loughridge said. “Glad to have a chance to be in the position to go to the semifinals.”

Glen Rose

at Charleston

WHAT Class 3A quarterfinals WHEN 7 p.m. Friday WHERE Alumni Field, Charleston RECORDS Glen Rose 11-1; Charleston 9-2 RANKINGS Glen Rose is No. 1 in Class 3A; Charleston is No. 6 in Class 3A SEEDS Glen Rose is No. 1 from the 5-3A; Charleston is No. 1 from the 4-3A

State finals schedule

FRIDAY (NOV. 30) Class 5A, 7 p.m. SATURDAY (DEC. 1) Class 6A, noon SATURDAY (DEC. 1) Class 7A, 6:30 p.m. FRIDAY (DEC. 7) Class 2A, 7 p.m. SATURDAY (DEC. 8) Class 3A, noon SATURDAY (DEC. 8) Class 4A, 6:30 p.m. NOTE All games at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock

Sports, Pages 22 on 11/21/2012