Column: A busy weekend for local sports

This weekend is going to be a historic one for Carson Country athletes on the Major League Baseball and college football level.

No less than four athletes will be featured prominently on the national scene. Ironically in both cases, a Carson High graduate will be featured against a Douglas High graduate.

This Saturday at the Rose Bowl, Carson graduate Paul Glass should play a key role for Arizona State while Douglas graduate Chris Griffith's foot could be depended heavily on by UCLA when the two teams meet at Pasadena's Rose Bowl.

Meanwhile, the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants will continue their rivalry with what has been a significant local flavor in recent years. Douglas graduate Shawn Estes is scheduled to pitch today for the Giants against the Los Angeles Dodgers, so he shouldn't be in action when San Francisco plays at Arizona this weekend.

But Matt Williams should be in action for the Diamondbacks, with a chance to end a relatively disappointing season on a high note. Williams has been plagued by injuries this season, but has been hot of late.

The series, which earlier in the year looked to be one that would decide the two teams' playoff fates, is now a meaningless one as far as the playoffs are concerned. The Giants clinched the National League West title last week while the Diamondbacks have been eliminated from the playoff chase.

But as far as Carson Country is concerned, with two local Major League stars playing, any series between Arizona and the Giants is meaningful, no matter what the stakes.

Nevada Appeal staff writer Jeremy Evans left for Arizona today to cover the weekend series featuring our two local stars.

The Pac 10 showdown between UCLA and Arizona State, though, is meaningful. The Bruins were stung last week at Oregon in their Pac 10 opener and can't afford another conference loss.

Meanwhile, Arizona State has gone 3-0 against a relatively week non-conference schedule and will have a chance to show it's for real in its conference opener.

Griffith has had a solid year so far for the Bruins, going 3-for-4 on field goal attempts.

BUSY WEEKEND

The Arizona State-UCLA and Arizona-Giant matchups are not the only ones to watch Saturday. Carson will try to extend its winning streak to four in a 1:30 p.m. Saturday game at Wooster in a game that figures to be a tough test.

Meanwhile, Douglas will try to rebound from its loss to Northern Nevada's premiere team, McQueen, in another game that figures to be a tough test in a 1:30 p.m. battle at South Tahoe.

A showdown for first in league play in soccer will take place when the Douglas boys travel to Reno for an 11 a.m. game Saturday. Both teams are 5-0-2 in league play.

On the golf scene, the Mayors Cup pitting Empire Ranch against Eagle Valley will be held Saturday and Sunday. Shotgun starts will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday at Eagle Valley and 9 a.m. Sunday at Empire Ranch.

Those who want to check out some of the best young gymnasts in the area can head over to the Carson High gym for the inaugural Autumn Extreme Invitational hosted by the RAC Gymnastics Club. Competition begins at noon. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.

GLASS UPDATE

Glass admitted he received a "reality check" when he first arrived at Arizona State, but he has gone on to make his presence felt early in the season.

Splitting time with others on the defensive line, Glass, who came to the Sun Devils by way of Carson and Bakersfield College, is playing about half the time, averaging 33 plays a game at nose tackle and rush tackle. "We're just keeping each other fresh," Glass said.

Glass admitted he may have "underestimated" the competition at the Division I level at first.

But he also said he's been able to make progress. "I'm definitely getting better," Glass said.

Glass showed his progress by making his first sack a memorable one in last week's 44-20 win against Utah State. "It was the hit of the game," he said.

He said it's always gratifying to come up with a sack because "you get your face on the big screen and stuff."

As a nose tackle, Glass often has to take on double teams to allow other defenders, particularly linebackers, to make the tackle. When asked if that was his role, Glass said, "Sometimes it seems like that."

Glass said ASU should be a force to be reckoned with. "Our team is coming along," he said. "Our defense is getting better and our offense is stepping it up."