Contributed
(August 25, 2010)

It’s a feeling Gregg Baker knows all to well. And dealing with it never gets any easier.

Faulkner’s head football coach was told late Monday about another tragedy involving one of his players. University officials informed Baker during practice that freshman quarterback Casey Carpenter’s father had just died in a traffic accident in north Mississippi. After practice, he and Casey’s uncle delivered the heart-breaking news.

“I told Casey what God laid on my heart, and that’s that he needed to go home and take care of his momma and grandmomma,” Baker said. “This team is very close, and they hurt right now for Casey and his family. I can only imagine what he’s feeling. He knows we’re here for him, and always will be.”

Carpenter is from Wedowee and his parents – Glenn and Tracy – are both Faulkner alumni. During the spring of 2009 – his first as Faulkner’s head coach – Baker and his team suffered through the loss of two of his players, Ryne Wilhite and Teirson Hollis, both of whom died in a traffic accident in Maplesville.

“Right after practice we had a bunch of players who wanted to go be with Casey,” Baker said. “This team wants to help him through this difficult time.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

PRACTICE NOTES

Faulkner has its most experienced and arguably its most talented group of returning players this fall, but that certainly doesn’t mean the Eagles won’t get big contributions from a few newcomers during the 2010 season.

A couple of defensive players who have already made an impact in early season drills are half brothers – junior safety Antjuan Curry and redshirt freshman defensive end Ellis Patterson. Curry is a transfer from Hartnell Junior College in California, while Patterson transferred from Mississippi College. Both are originally from Mobile.

“These two guys can play,” Baker said. “I love their energy and how hard they work. It looks like they’re going to fit in well with what we’re trying to do.”

A pair of running backs are pushing returnees Brandon Cheatham and Triston McCathern, and Baker loves the competition. Junior Ricky Barr, a transfer from Butte Junior College in California, and junior A.J. Stokes, a transfer from Albany State, have both turned heads this fall.

Faulkner practiced close to two hours Tuesday afternoon, still trying to fine tune a depth chart in preparation for Saturday afternoon’s scrimmage against LaGrange College. The Eagles spent a half hour at John Mark Stallings Field with 11-on-11 drills, and closed the workout with intense special teams work.

“I think things are coming more and more into focus each day,” Baker said. “Since we have more depth, a lot of guys are getting pushed at different positions, and that’s always a good thing.”

Faulkner opens its season against Birmingham Southern on Sept. 11. The game kicks off at 11 a.m. at Cramton Bowl. Faulkner ticket information is now available. A season pass that will gain entry into all six of the Eagles home games is $60. Individual game tickets are available for $10 apiece. Children 12-and-under get in free. For more information please call (334) 386-7153.