By Terry Foster: Greg Carter is priming Oak Park for a memorable season (Story)

About 60 pair of eyes eagerly focus on Oak Park coach Greg Carter’s every word as he addressed his team on the artificial turf of Panthers Stadium in River Rouge after a successful four way scrimmage.

Those 60 pair of eyes belonged to players and assistant coaches who dreamed of reaching the heights that Carter often ascends as one of Michigan’s top prep coaches. Whether he is throwing a ball or teaching others to throw a ball, Carter has become Oak Park’s Lord of the Rings.

Oak Park appeared to be the marque team following a four way scrimmage with River Rouge, Detroit Central and Detroit Renaissance. However, it wasn’t time to slap guys on the back and praise them for a job well done. That’s not what kings do, at least not this early in the season.

Carter might praise the Knights if they avenge last year’s loss to Eisenhower in Thursday’s Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State (4 p.m. kickoff) or hoist a state championship trophy at the end of the year. When you’ve been to the mountain top as often as Carter scrimmages are nothing more than baby steps toward a loftier goal.

“We’ve got to be better,” Carter told his players. “There are a lot of things we’ve got to clean up.”

Carter doesn’t just coach football. He chases perfection.

He’s been to the state finals 16 times as a coach. He witnessed eight state titles as an assistant under coaching great Ron Thompson at Detroit St. Martin DePorres, took over the program and won four more championships as head coach. His biggest challenge may have been at Inkster High. That team never made a state playoff before he took over, but he led it to three Finals games before moving to Oak Park.

As a baseball player Carter made the Kentucky State University Athletic Hall of Fame after leading the school to a NAIA championship in 1976. He was also a catcher and quarterback at Detroit Mackenzie when the Staggs snagged two city championships in baseball and a city title and divisional crown in football.

So Carter is accustomed to the view from the highest podium. Now he wants to guide his boys to that perch.

“The kids look at me as a guy who has won championships and I want to bring them to that level,” Carter said.

The Knights could be on their way. Led by quarterback Dwan Mathis (an Ohio State commit). Oak Park returns six starters on each side of the ball after finishing 2017 with a 9-3 record. His favorite target should be wide out Maliq Carr and he will get plenty of protection behind a talented offensive led by tackles Justin Rogers and Rayshaun Benny.

That line should also pave the way for slight of foot running back Torriano Richardson.

Carr is also a monster defensive back with a bit of a mean streak, making it difficult to move the ball on Oak Park.

“I think we’ve got a good group of kids,” Carter said. “They work hard. We have hunger. The seniors remind the kids how hard it is to win a state championship.”

Carter not only teaches good football, but teaches players how to become respectful men.

“He is really about us being consistent,” Mathis said. “Always be great, not good.”

Playing patsies does not forge greatness. Every day under Carter is about learning and getting better. He not only demands greatness on the field but he demands that his team face great opponents. Oak Park opens with Eisenhower, faces Birmingham Groves and ends the season against the 2017 Division 1 finalists West Bloomfield and Clarkston.

Winning a state title and finding perfection won’t be easy. One thing in Oak Park’s favor is its seniors remain upset with a regional loss last season.

“We want to play the best, learn from them and be a better program,” Carter said. “I love it. It gives you a chance to learn where your weaknesses are, learn from them and fix them. If you make the playoffs you will be a good team for playing these quality teams.”