CARTHAGE, Ill. — After helping guide Illini West to its first playoff appearance in six seasons, quarterback Ethan Carlisle enters his senior season looking to take the Chargers a step further with a more youthful roster.

Carlisle split time with Max Kinnamon early last season before securing the full-time job and is now the unquestioned starter going into 2025.

“I think (my experience) will play off a lot,” said Carlisle. “We have a young squad. The first two days of camp have been very good and I think they’re starting to get used to me, especially the receiving core. We’re going to have some sophomore receivers and I think they’re doing pretty well.”

Carlisle completed 67.9% of his passes for 532 yards and nine touchdowns, while also rushing for 492 yards and four more scores last season.

“It’s huge to have a guy that was with us when we got those six wins and knows what it takes to win,” said Chargers head coach Jacob Calvin. “Just having the same guy back there for our offensive line to be comfortable with is huge fo us because we don’t have to start from zero. Ethan’s proven he can make plays and he’s a gamer. He’s going to be a huge part of what we do.”

The Chargers graduated their leading rusher from last year, Nick Johnson, who had 148 carries for 1,127 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Illini West will look to senior Isaiah Knotts to take off where Johnson and Ian Bentzinger have left off as the Chargers main running back.

“Nick was a really strong back,” said Knotts. “I learned that strength is not always the key to success. Nick wasn’t strong weight room wise, but he was a strong running back and was still able to play.”

Knotts had 20 carries for 221 yards and three touchdowns last season after being limited to just four games due to a torn hamstring.

“It sucked not being able to play,” said Knotts. “When I hurt myself, I took the time off to think about what I need to do and I think I’m healthy enough to play this season.”

Knotts averaged 11.1 yards per carry before his injury, showing the type of potential he has.

“Knotts has been here and he had cut his teeth, but now it’s his turn and he’s ready to go,” said Calvin. “He’s also a heck of a linebacker. We’ve got some other guys getting reps (at running back). Branden Allaman and Kenneth Bliss, who’s a track guy with speed. He’s a sophomore. We’ve got a stable of horses that are ready to run, but Knotts will probably be the leader there.”

The Chargers will have a new cast of players at wide receiver, after graduating their top two receivers from last year — Stephen Sparks and Tre Neiderman.

“One name that comes to mind is Caleb Schreacke, and he actually got playing time towards the end when Sparky got hurt,” said Calvin. “He’s a guy you’re going to know and he’s going to be all over the place because he is the real deal. Myles Neff has looked really well for us.”

The offensive line will be headlined by All-Prairieland Conference guard Chase Yelton, with tackle Isaiah Geissler also returning.

Center Deacon Zaehringer got some playing time in place of Johnny Ravenscraft when he was injured, and will now take his spot. Several sophomores will compete for the other two spots on the line, including Nathan Chandler and Braxton Vass.

“I think they’re going to do great,” said Yelton. “I don’t think size is going to be an issue like it has the last couple of years. I’m going to be the smallest guy at 235, and last year our smallest guy was at 165. On average, we’ll be around 295 and I think we’ll have one of the biggest lines in the conference.”

Yelton is also going to be a big part of Illini West’s defense, especially with the loss of Roan Jackson up front.

Yelton had learned plenty of tips from Jackson over the years and will look to fill his position.

“This summer, I’ve been getting more athletic,” said Yelton. “I’ve gained 30 to 35 pounds in muscle since last season and I’m running even faster. I was a 5.2, now I’m running in the fours. I’ve been playing at defensive line and inside the box, but they just moved me to defensive end because I was getting in the backfield every time and making plays.”

Despite being limited to just four games due to injury last year, Knotts was an All-Conference selection at middle linebacker.

“I’d say I consider myself one of the leaders,” said Knotts. “I think the defense is pretty good. We’ve had some returning seniors that are going to be playing like Izik Jones, Isaiah Geissler on our line, and then Chase.”

Carlisle will play some linebacker as well, joining Knotts.

“Ethan Carlisle likes to play defense and he’s a guy we try to keep off defense a little bit since he plays quarterback, but he wants to be in there when the game is on the line,” said Calvin. “He’s just a guy that wants to win. Izik Jones has played since he was a sophomore and he’s a big, physical guy that’s gotten bigger than he was last year. We’ve got some sophomores that are stepping up on defense as well. Austin Karmer and Bryson Cruz look pretty good.”

In the secondary, Neff, Liam Murphy, Keagan Walker and Wyatt Pence will play at cornerback, with Bliss playing free safety.

The Chargers are in good hands on special teams with Hall of Fame coach Tim Lafferty returning to coach up the unit.

“We let (Lafferty) run it and he does a great job,” said Calvin. “I don’t know how many teams in Illinois have a Hall of Fame coach that wants to just coach freshmen and special teams.”