Strawberry Crest’s football program has taken a notable loss, as versatile junior Austin Carswell has transferred to Plant City High School.
According to Raiders defensive coordinator Greg Meyer, Carswell, who filled in at quarterback in 2013, enrolled and started classes on Jan. 30.
“We are ecstatic,” Meyer says.
The reason for the switch, according to Carswell himself, was to make his mother’s life a little easier. Since the Carswells live just minutes from Plant City High School, this move takes away a long daily commute.
“Just closer to home to relieve some stress off of my mom, so she wouldn’t have to worry about me getting back and forth next year to Strawberry Crest,” Carswell said in a text message.
His decision to transfer came at an ideal time for the Raiders’ program, as defensive backs Jyquis Thomas and Hassan Bailey are about to graduate. It also maintains Plant City’s trend of slotting its most versatile athletes at the DB/WR position.
“Not sure where he will line up,” Meyer says. “Very versatile kid.”
Unlike fellow DB/WR weapons T.J. Chase and Markese Hargrove, Carswell could be a solution in the QB spot if a need arises. The junior played there for most of the 2013-14 season for the Chargers after Tristan Hyde suffered a season-ending injury, and won five of the seven full games he started.