Sophomore QB Carter is a program turner
From basement dweller to playoff contender, Sharpstown High School in Houston has had a resurgence like no other program in a four-year period.
The Apollos were winless in the two seasons prior to the arrival of coach Gary Gutierrez. Sharpstown was where coaches came to die and players faded into oblivion.
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"People thought I was crazy when I took this job," Gutierrez said. "No one thought you could win here."
Gutierrez won four games his first season and is 7-1 and undefeated in District 20-4A entering the weekend.
While Gutierrez is pulling the strings, it's his sophomore trigger-man who becoming a household name around the inner city neighborhood.
"Sam Carter is the best sophomore recruit in the state of Texas," he said. "He's the total package and a kid that you don't get to coach very often. He's a competitor on the field and in the classroom and he's a big reason for our turnaround."
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback started eight games as a freshman, and has rushed for more than 600 yards and thrown for 1,597 and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore.
So much for a sophomore jinx.
"Being from Houston, everyone patterns their game after Vince Young," he said. "I do the same. I like to throw and run, but I really like to just win."
Carter also plays first base for the baseball team and is a small forward for the basketball team.
"I keep pretty busy, but when I'm off I pretty much stay in the house and hang out," he said.
While it is early, Carter favors USC, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and LSU.