Good football players seem to find their way to Carey High School.
Seniors graduate, but the ranks are filled by lower classmen to fuel the Panther football machine that was last year's state 1A Division 2 eight-man football champion and is this year's top ranked team at 7-1.
The Carey junior varsity team is a perfect example with its perfect 6-0 record in 2007.
Many of the names are familiar: Peck, Simpson, Baird, younger brothers of Carey players who have already made their marks in the varsity ranks.
"This is going to be a fun crew in the years to come," said Carey football coach Lane Kirkland. "They have all improved in every way and should be proud of this accomplishment.
"What's complimentary to the boys is they not only went undefeated, but every team they beat was from a Division 2 eight-man school, and three or four of those games we totally dominated."
The Panther JV dominated in yardage, racking up 2,248 yards this season, an average of 374.7 per game, and giving up only 1,038 total yards to their six opponents.
There are other impressive numbers. Kirkland said his freshmen players are 14-1 their last three seasons, counting JV and junior high play, while his sophomores are 18-3 over the same period.
"The last three or four seasons we've had good numbers on the squad," Kirkland said.
Freshman Antonio Gamino led the Panther JV in rushing, with 660 total yards, an average of 110 per game. He also scored seven rushing touchdowns. Not far behind was Andres Garcia, who scored five rushing TDs and accumulated 450 total yards for an average of 75 per game.
Sophomore quarterback Dillon Simpson demonstrated that he's ready to slip into older brother D.J.'s shoes with eight touchdown passes this year and only one interception. Senior D.J. Simpson is the varsity Panthers' quarterback. Both Dillon and D.J. are the sons of Dick Simpson, Carey's varsity basketball coach.
Gamino lead the JV Panthers in receiving with 140 yards, followed by freshman Jacy Baird with 119.
Twelve of the Panther JVs recorded double digits in tackling or assists. Dillon Simpson had the most with 48. Gamino was second with 38. Wacey Barg was next with 29. Blair Peck and Jared Cenarrusa had 25 apiece.
The Panther offense scored 36 touchdowns and outscored the opposition 242-72.
Victories for the Panther JV were 44-14 over Castleford, 38-6 over Hagerman, 42-0 over Shoshone, 48-26 over Christian Lighthouse, 48-6 over Raft River and 22-20 over Oakley.
Carey coaches Lane Kirkland and Lee Cook Photo by Mountain Express
