RIVERSIDE — The Carroll Patriots are laying it on the line this season.

Literally.

The Pats are big and bad up front on both sides and are looking for that to be the catalyst for their first non-losing season since 2018.

“This is the most excited I’ve been for our offensive line,” Coach Cody Byrd said. “Offensive and defensive lines. We have some size. We have some real talent.”

That will be a good thing for the Patriots as they averaged 14.3 points per game on offense and allowed 37.6 points per game on defense.

Byrd said senior Jacob Moddeman is emerging as a leader on the line, but it really has five leaders.

With a three-headed running back of senior Tayshawn Brown and juniors Jayden Crawford and Logan Reynolds running behind that line, points should be more plentiful. Senior Josh Holzinger, a wide receiver last year, makes the switch to quarterback for Carroll. He appeared in two games as a freshman, throwing one pass, and did not record any offense as a sophomore. Last season he caught 16 passes for 187 yards and a TD.

“He doesn’t try to do too much,” Byrd said. “He commands the huddle. He runs the offense really well.”

In a scrimmage at Oakwood last Friday, Holzinger tossed a nifty shuffle pass to Crawford who turned it into a 73-yard touchdown.

On defense, Carroll is switching from an odd front three-high to a 4-3, making the Patriots more versatile, Byrd said. Carroll also brought in former NFL player Dave Bowens as the defensive coordinator. While playing for the Browns in 2010, Bowens had a pair of interceptions off Drew Brees that he returned for touchdowns. One was 64 yards, the other 30 as Cleveland upset New Orleans.

In the Oakwood scrimmage, Carroll had a pair of “pick sixes.”

Bowens is making quite the impact.

“He’s done a great job with our guys,” Byrd said. “His scheme is fantastic. What I love about him most is he’s got such a deep care for each of our guys. He’s unbelievably authentically himself. A teenage boy definitely knows how to read that.”

Brown is the anchor of the defense at linebacker will lead the way, but senior lineman Jacob Brazel, senior defensive back Jack McGeady, junior lineman Marco Keferl, and Reynolds, who plays linebacker, will also hear their names called a lot as well.

Carroll has a tough schedule in the Greater Catholic League but the first five games at Ponitz, Tecumseh, Northland, Northwest, and Talawanda will be key for Carroll in its pursuit of week 11.

“To win the number of games that we want to win, we have to be a great team, not a good team,” Byrd said. “I think we’ve been a good team in recent years. But we play in an unbelievable league with very talented teams and exceptional coaching. Being a good team doesn’t get you very far in the GCL.”

SEASON OUTLOOK

Carroll Patriots

Coach: Cody Byrd (6th year, 13-35)

2023 record: 2-8 (GCL Co-ed 6th, did not make D-III playoffs); Points Per Game: 14.3 (Off.) 37.6 (Def.)

What to expect: “This is the most excited I’ve been for our offensive line. Offensive and defensive lines. We have some size. We have some real talent.” — Cody Byrd, head coach

Key Players: Jacob Brazel, Sr, DL (50 tkls, 22 solo, 1 TFL); Tayshawn Brown, Sr, RB (3 att, 13 yds); Jimmy Green, Sr, WR (11 rec, 208 yds); James Holkema, Sr, LB (22 tkls, 13 solo 1 TFL, 1 FR); Josh Holzinger, Sr, QB (16 rec, 187 yds, 1 TD); Jack McGeady, Sr, WR (43 rec, 606 yds, 4 TD);

Captains: Jacob Brazel, Tayshawn Brown, Josh Holzinger, Marco Keferl, and Charlie Williams

Schedule (all games 7 p.m. unless noted)

(Home games in ALL CAPS)

Aug. 22 — at Ponitz CTC, 6 p.m.

Aug. 30 — at Tecumseh

Sept. 6 — NORTHLAND

Sept. 13 — NORTHWEST

Sept. 20 — at Talawanda

Sept. 27 — ALTER

Oct. 4 — at Badin

Oct. 11 — at Chaminade Julienne

Oct. 18 — MCNICHOLAS

Oct. 25 — FENWICK

Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.