As jamborees begin and the regular season inches closer and closer, it is time to take a look at yet another local program setting up for an exciting campaign this fall. This week, it is Slaughter Community Charter, led by new coach William Myers.
While Myers and I spoke briefly about his plans for this season earlier in the summer, we had the opportunity to sit down again and have a more in-depth conversation about the preparations he and his team have made in the lead-up to this season.
Summer workouts were good for Slaughter players. “We got a lot stronger, faster," Myers said. "There was real good participation with the kids showing up and working hard.”
Myers highlighted his team’s strength in particular as an area in which he saw leaps and bounds of progress during the summer. One major area of concern for Slaughter Charter is the youth of the squad, with only six seniors on the varsity roster. Though there is that lack of experience in the team, Myers is assured that the young players he has can come up in a big way this season.
“We’re going to be really competitive,” said the coach. “We’re going to be really gritty, grindy; we’ve been working really hard these past few weeks to make sure of that.”
Myers is expecting big things from a few impact players. The coach pointed to PJ Clarkston, a running back and linebacker, as well as quarterback and defensive back Justin Carmina. Myers singled out those two among others not just for their skill but also for their work ethic and leadership qualities.
Clarkston and Carmina will be two names to watch this season, but the entire Slaughter Charter football team is something to be excited about in the fall.
The Slaughter Charter Knights will kick off their season at home on Friday, Sept. 3, as they take on East Iberville High School.