BLACKSVILLE — It takes a certain level of competition to get most athletes’ blood flowing.
But not when it comes to Clay-Battelle’s do-everything quarterback Carson Shriver. He is so competitive that he even takes the littlest things very serious.
“Carson is a competitor,” veteran Cee-Bees head coach Ryan Wilson said. “He’s a competitor at rock, paper, scissors.”
That little peek into Shriver’s competitive side is no joke. Shriver even kept a record at how well he did at rock, paper, scissors during 7-on-7 contests this summer.
“I went 16-0,” Shriver said with a laugh. “I didn’t lose one. I grew up with two other brothers and I have always been this way.”
That competitive side is something that Wilson is hoping to harness once again this fall as Shriver returns for his senior year.
Last season, Shriver helped the Cee-Bees to a 9-3 record and their first appearance in the playoffs since 2014. This year, Shriver said he is hoping for more.
“I feel like we can be state champions this year,” Shriver said. “I feel like we can go all the way. Obviously, we have got to take it one game at a time and see what happens.”
What happened in 2021 was Shriver all over the field. He played running back, wide receiver, defensive back, punter and of course, quarterback. However, he did split time behind center at times for the Cee-Bees.
Not this year, as Wilson has committed to sticking with Shriver behind a veteran offensive line and Shriver has put in the work to develop into a better passer.
“I have been to a bunch of college camps this year and they have given me some pointers,” Shriver said. “I have really hit the weight room and I have a stronger arm, stronger legs, and I have put on some weight.”
Shriver said he has also spent time on the football field working with receivers.
“Last year, I was more of the running quarterback,” Shriver said. “This year, if I need to throw the ball I can, if that is what I need to do.”
The ability to be a dual-threat quarterback is not only going to help the Cee-Bees, but it has also helped on the recruiting trail. Shriver said he does not have any offers to play collegiately yet, but he has talked with several schools.
“My goal really is to play college football,” Shriver said. “I don’t have any dream school; I just want to play at any level.”
Shriver said he hopes to study either nursing or education. If he does become an educator, he hopes to eventually be a football coach.
This summer, he has had the chance to teach some of the younger Clay-Battelle players that have come out for the team.
“We had a bunch of freshmen come out this year,” Shriver said. “It’s been fun getting to help them learn our system and learn our traditions.”
Now, Shriver said he is hoping to lead the Cee-Bees to a second-straight playoff appearance. That is something that hasn’t happened in Blacksville since making three straight last decade. If that comes to fruition, Shriver will have left his mark on the Clay-Battelle program.
“That’s something we haven’t done here in a while,” Shriver said. “I think if we did that, it would be something to be proud of. It would show all the work we have put in and could set expectations higher around here.”
For the head coach, he is still focused on each game and each week, but he admits that there are going to be times that Shriver does something on the field that is once-again unbelievable.
“He’s just a good football player,” Wilson said. “He can obviously play multiple positions, but he’s a playmaker and I think he is going to have a fantastic senior year.”
By ERIC HERTER
TWEET @DomPostSports
