Chattanooga Times Free Press

Chattanooga Christian

Running back Boo Carter is one of several talented players returning at the skill positions for Chattanooga Christian this year as former Baylor coach Phil Massey takes charge of the program.

BY STEPHEN HARGIS / shargis@timesfreepress.com

Head coach: Phil Massey (first year here; 174-109 overall)

Returning starters: 7 offensive; 8 defensive

Last year’s record: 5-5 overall, lost in Division II-AA first round

Key players: Boo Carter (6-0, 185) Jr. RB/DB, Javoris Havis (6-2, 215) Sr. RB/LB, A.J. Wallace (6-2, 175) Jr. WR/DB, Landon Newton (5-11, 175) Sr. LB, Davoris Havis (6-0, 235) Sr. DL, Jordan Gile (6-0, 200) Sr. QB, William Wall (5-11, 250) Sr. OL, Kaleb Bonastia (6-2, 230) Sr. OL, Grayson Officer (6-2, 195) Sr. OL

Season outlook: Last season ended with the Chargers winning three of their final four games and scoring an average of 40 points during that stretch, with the playoff loss by one point. The offense will abandon the wing-T preferred by the previous staff for a more wide-open style designed to take advantage of the plethora of skill position talent.

The list of potential playmakers includes Carter, one of the state’s top-rated junior prospects; Wallace, who has offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan State and Ole Miss; and Gile, a transfer from Arizona with a strong arm and offers from Florida International, Kansas and San Diego State.

Carter ran for 1,197 yards and 14 touchdowns last year but is versatile enough to play receiver and in the secondary. Javoris Havis, the team’s second-leading rusher with more than 500 yards in 2021, also brings a ton of athleticism at linebacker. Also back are the team’s two leading tacklers from last season: Landon Newton and Davoris Havis (he also led in sacks).

There could be as many as four freshmen who earn either starting jobs or significant playing time.

“We have quite a bit of experience back on both sides of the ball, and they’ve adjusted well to the changes we’ve made,” said Massey, who worked as Baylor’s head coach for 16 years, compiling 112 wins during that time and consecutive DII-AAA state runner-up finishes in 2010-11.

“Depth is a major concern, though,” Massey added. “We drop off in experience quite a bit after our first group, so we have to find some young guys to step up and provide that depth.

“We’ve got some very talented players, but how well all that individual talent comes together will determine how good we can be.”

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https://edition.timesfreepress.com/article/282291029016198

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