With Halloween just around the corner, Boo Carter has been producing scary numbers of late.
Bringing down Chattanooga Christian School's sophomore tailback lately has been like trying to tackle a ghost. Carter has rushed for 558 yards and seven touchdowns over his past two games on just 23 carries.
In last Friday's runaway 47-13 region victory over Knoxville Grace, Carter rushed for 284 yards and four touchdowns on just 10 carries, a performance that has earned Times Free Press Player of the Week honors.
Watching Carter's success has reminded CCS coach Mark Mariakis of a former superstar talent he once coached.
"When you watch Boo he has three or four extra gears that he can hit with the ball in his hands," Mariakis said. "We haven't seen that since Vonn Bell. Boo has the vision and gear that when he sees a crease, he's gone. Kids can't hesitate or take a bad angle because you aren't going to catch him.
"Boo has a great confidence about him. He is not cocky, just very confident and a great competitor. He wants to do anything he can to help this team win."
Staff photo by Troy Stolt / CCS running back Boo Carter (6) runs the ball during Chattanooga Christian School's home football game against Knoxville's Grace Baptist Academy on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 in Chattanooga, Tenn.Carter looks every bit the part of a 4 to 5-star recruit and big time programs have been pursuing the electric talent who has 1,611 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns this season.
This past weekend he attended the Tennessee football game against Ole Miss. The Volunteers were his first offer last season when he was a 14-year old freshman. He has since added offers from Ole Miss, Kentucky, Florida State and West Virginia and plans to visit Ohio State this weekend.
"This season I knew I had to step up and be a leader," said Carter, who has been timed at 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash. "I have been playing since I was four and have been blessed with a natural ability. I try to work hard and be the best every time I step on the field. The results have been really nice so far, but I have to stay humble and just keep working with my teammates. We've got some big goals this season."
The Chargers (4-3, 3-2 Division II-AA East Region) have hit their stride of late thanks to a switch to the I-formation. The offensive scheme has allowed sophomore fullback Da'rell Brown along with juniors Javoris and Devoris Havis to break down defenses and help spring Carter for big runs as well.
CCS has rushed for 1,079 yards over its past two games.
"We have a lot of guys who can run the ball. The I-formation gives us an element of surprise because we can run the ball for big gains in so many different ways," Carter said. "For me, I read the linebackers and where they shift. My first cut is off the linebackers and then my vision goes to the secondary and I do my best to get past them too."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.