MONROE – The Glenbrook Apaches gained a reputation for putting points on the board during the 2000’s, however last season the Apaches were often left grasping at straws when trying to figure out how to get points on the board.
Saturday at River Oaks School in Monroe, the Apaches gave their fans a reason to expect a massive turnaround, scoring four touchdowns and racking up 409 yards of total offense in less than four quarters of play.
“We came out offensively fired up and executed extremely well,” second year head coach Caleb Carmikle said. “We were able to do, pretty much, whatever we wanted to on offense.”
The Apaches drove the ball at will for most of the afternoon, constantly switching offense and defense with the other three schools in attendance: River Oaks, Union Christian Academy and Riverfield Academy.
Quarterback Seth Tyler shined in Carmikle’s revamped offense, connecting on 13 of 13 passes for 202 yards and 2 touchdowns. Da’maza Robinson led the Apache backfield with 3 carries for 80 yards. Robinson added 3 catches for 91 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Marshall Meek and Mason Hood combined for 41 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Lemoris Jackson Jr., in his first live action for the Apaches on the gridiron, ran five times for 37 yards and added a pair of catches for 34 yards. Meek caught 4 passes for 40 yards and 6-foot 5-inch target Joseph Windham reeled in 3 passes for 35 yards.
All of it was made possible by an improved offensive line, drawing high praise from their head coach.
“We’re so much better up front,” Carmikle said. “It’s so much easier to run the football with guys like that doing their thing for you.”
The Apaches never turned the ball over, something that plagued them in 2015.
“No turnovers, no incomplete passes. You really can’t ask for much better than that,” Carmikle said.
Glenbrook’s success or failure will likely rest on the shoulders of Tyler, who returns at quarterback after being thrust into the lineup late last season. Those late season performances drew mixed reviews, but if Saturday is any indication of what the junior signal-caller has in store for 2016, the Apaches will be making postseason plans.
“This offense is built around the quarterback,” Carmikle said. “Those guys have to be able to become coaches on the field, and Seth has really stepped up in that role. He was dialed in Saturday. When he’s throwing with pinpoint accuracy to the playmakers that we have, you’re set up for success.”
Despite their performance, it wasn’t all about the offense.
The Glenbrook defense appeared fast and aggressive up front and in the back half, while a new crew of linebackers held their own.
“It starts up front,” Carmikle said. “Nick Moses and Hunter Choutin have trimmed some weight and are commanding double teams. Nick’s footwork is improved and he flew around yesterday. Hunter’s a big guy who fought injury last year. He was drawing double and triple teams.”
Carmikle highlighted Trent Albritton and Seth Gauthier at linebacker, as well as first year player Joseph Kidd.
“All of them had good days,” Carmikle said. “Joseph still has some work to do making reads and trusting his eyes, but he makes up for it with his athleticism.”
In the secondary, Tyler Perryman came up with an interception for the Apaches only forced turnover.
Moses led the defense with 9 tackles, followed by Albritton with 5 and Perryman with 4 tackles.
“I think we leave the spring extremely encouraged,” Carmikle said. “The success we had Saturday, ending it like that, I think the guys are excited to have a full summer together to see how much better we can get in the next couple of months.”