Carter Opens Up Options

Chase Turnbull of Fayetteville rips through the offensive line during drills Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at Harmon Stadium in Fayetteville.
Chase Turnbull of Fayetteville rips through the offensive line during drills Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at Harmon Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE - Keith Fimple installed his favorite defense, the 3-4 scheme, as soon as he arrived at Fayetteville as defensive coordinator in the spring.

But with a player like Demani Carter to work with, Fimple admits the Bulldogs wont always have to stick with one particular look on the defensive line.

Carter, a 6-foot, 235-pound junior, played defensive end as a sophomore and earned a starters role midway through the season last year. Considered the most talented down lineman on the Fayetteville roster, he also possesses the size, quickness and mentality to back off the line and play outside linebacker.

The Skinny

Position Battle: Defensive Line

BIGGEST STRENGTH: Multiple looks. Fayetteville will play a base three-man defensive front. But junior Demani Carter has the ability to move from linebacker to defensive end, allowing the unit to switch to a 4-3 scheme when needed.

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Experience. Aside from Carter, theres not much. The defensive line was the backbone unit to last years Class 7A state championship, but most of that group has graduated.

WATCH OUT FOR: Again, its Carter. He emerged as a sophomore and took over a starting defensive end role midway through the season. At 6-foot, 235 pounds, he has all the tools and could be one of the top defensive players in the 7A/6A-West Conference this fall.

Quoting Coach: Lord and genetics. Thats what Demani has that sets him apart. What the Lord gave him, and genetics. Fayetteville defensive coordinator Keith Fimple

This gives Fimple and the Fayetteville coaches options, and will allow for multiple looks as the Bulldogs feature a defensive line that overall is still on the inexperienced side.

We have some options as far as guys who can do multiple things right now, Fimple said. Weve had guys who have had some good days and some bad days, and weve had to make some adjustments here and there. With the defensive line its about being able to get in the gaps and we want you in so the linebackers can fit off. So it starts up front with the defensive line for us.

We had some guys who have the body, they have the mentality, but right now they havent played. They havent been in the ballgames, so we hope this scrimmage game will help out and I expect theyll be much better by the end of the season they they look right now.

Carter is the one defensive lineman with experience for Fayetteville, and he appears to be a great place to start in building back up a unit that was so dominant at times a year ago.

Demani gives us the flexibility and ability to go back and forth from a three-front to a four-front on the defensive line, Fayetteville coach Daryl Patton said. He was an all-conference player for us last year, and hes just a heck of a football player.

Carter will rotate at one defensive end spot while also spending time at linebacker. When he does shift to linebacker, senior Kai Hale (6-3, 210) and sophomore Cole Turnbull (5-11, 215) will get a look at the end position.

Filling out the other defensive end spot will be seniors Chase Turnbull (6-2, 215) and Quincy Rowe (6-1, 240).

At noseguard, up to four different Bulldogs are in the mix. Senior Zack Akers (6-0, 220) could lead the way, but juniors Chris Humphrey (5-11, 255), Harrison Schaefer (6-3, 270) and Taylor Beam are also in the mix.

You have to build a defense around those guys on the defensive line, Fimple said. You have to have the ability to stop the run.

We feel like they have the ability to do it, and its just a mindset to do it. Everything starts up front with the defensive line.

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