So, what's the routine call for a football coach on fourth-down from his team's own 15 with the score tied early in the second quarter. Punt, right. Not if you're Carson J.V. football coach Joe Girdner.
Girdner gave the green light for a fake punt and the gamble paid off when Frank Bleuss raced 85 yards for a touchdown that broke a 7-all tie and put the Senators on track to a 59-29 season-ending victory against arch-rival Douglas on Wednesday night.
Carson scored 38 second-half points to break the game open and finished its season with a 6-3 overall record and 4-1 in the Sierra League, good for a share of first-place with Douglas.
Bleuss passed for 123 yards and rushed for another 110 to lead the Senators offensively. His 85-yard run put the Senators on top 14-7 with 10:14 left in the second period.
Chris Kotter rushed for 159 yards on 19 carries, including a 26-yard run for Carson's first touchdown. Jack Brooks rushed for another 133 yards and one touchdown on 15 carries to aid the Senators.
Shawn Hines caught two touchdown passes, including a 12-yarder that gave the Senators a 21-7 lead that stood at halftime.
Dominic Schmitt led Carson's defensive charge with seven tackles and one interception. Bleuss was in on 10 tackles and Jason Myles blocked a punt in the first half.
After Carson scored its first touchdown, the Tigers answered right back as Evan Bill took the kickoff on his own 10, accelarated through an opening up the middle and ran 90 yards for the touchdown.
Two other Carson threats were stopped by the Tigers' James Bunting, who recovered a fumble at the 25 in the first quarter and then intercepted a pass in the end zone with 16 seconds remaining before halftime.
Douglas finished its season 5-4 overall, 4-1 in league.