OBSERVER File Photo Silver Creek/Forestville running back Angel Caraballo makes a run during a game last season. Caraballo has big expectations for the Black Knights 2019 season.

SILVER CREEK – Coming off what was a disappointing season last year, the Silver Creek/Forestville Black Knights enter this season with heavy expectations for themselves.

“I honestly see this team going far,” said Black Knights’ running back Angel Caraballo.

And Caraballo is one who has the shoulders to be able to carry those expectations. Entering his senior season, Caraballo knows he has one last chance to make things happen, and he at least has the mindset to begin to achieve those expectations.

“Doing better as a team. Trying to get more wins and trying to get to the top and be the best. Last year we didn’t do alright but we worked hard. I see a good team this year,” Caraballo said.

Caraballo, dubbed the ‘speed demon’ by his teammates, is not only trying to do the best for himself, but also for his teammates. Being one of the few seniors the team has, Caraballo can not only be the team’s star player, he has to be one of the leaders in the locker room as well. Fortunately, for head coach Sean Helmer, that’s a role Caraballo is more than willing to fill.

“We have to try to do as many reps as possible and learn it, so we don’t mess it up on the actual field. If we make a mistake, we have to make each other right, we can’t get better if we don’t make each other right,” Caraballo said.

This strong team resolve is where Caraballo needs to be, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have personal goals as well. Being the Black Knights leading rusher for the last two seasons, the Forestville kid knows his success hinges on what all of his teammates do.

“All I want to see is the wide open field and my boys out there doing work,” Caraballo said.

The one tasked with leading the Black Knights under center is a returner from last year, although from a different position. Dom Jamison, who was a cornerback and wide receiver last season, is now tasked to lead the offense after the departure of last year’s starter Austin Rott.

“It’s tough to replace a guy the way we had to, but we had all summer long to adapt, we had pre-season too. Dom creates some issues for the defense and he’s picked up the offense. He should be able to step right in,” Silver Creek Coach Sean Helmer said.

Jamison shares a lot of the same mind-set that Caraballo does: He just wants to win.

“I just want to compete, play well, and work together. Those are my goals,” Jamison said.

Together Jamison and Caraballo possess the skill set and the mental fortitude to lead a Silver Creek squad to the promise land, and while Caraballo is comfortable in his roles, both offensively and defensively, Jamison knows he still has some work to do.

“It’s an interesting transition for sure. I’m having a lot of fun with it. The big things are footwork and thinking. I have to think a lot,” Jamison said.

Going into the season for the Black Knights, Silver Creek/Forestville doesn’t have a lot in the way of senior leadership. What they do have is a selfless star running back, a quarterback who knows how to lead, and a team of athletes around them that, if healthy, don’t have a ceiling on their potential.

It’s up to them on how far they go.