Nobody seems to remember the last time a Carson Midget Pop Warner team has made it to the league championship game, the Snow Bowl. But last Friday night, the Senators earned the right to represent Carson in the big game by defeating the Reno Titans 32-28.
"It was the most exciting game I've seen in all my years of coaching Pop Warner" coach Mark Rutledge said. "A real nail biter. Our parents should be very proud of their kids. They battled back against the odds to win."
The Titans took the opening kickoff and drove the ball the length of the field for a score.
"That first Titan drive of the game really got my attention. Nobody had done that to us all season. I knew then it was going to be a long night," defensive coach Ed Smith said.
By halftime, the Titans were up 22-8 and had already rolled up 143 yards of offense. But the momentum changed at the start of the third quarter when the Senator offense kicked into high gear and the defense stiffened. The Carson offense ended up with a total of 366 yards for the game and the defense only allowed the Titans 79 yards in the second half. Carson scored a touchdown in the third quarter and 16 points in the fourth to take the lead.
Coach Rutledge was reluctant to highlight any particular individuals' performance, stating "It really was a team effort. Everyone contributed when we needed it the most."
The members of the Carson offensive squad were: Cody Barr, Brian Benson, Robbie Bozin, Chris Bradley, Jeff Butler, Blake Davidson, Justin Gragg, Ryan Hogan, Eric McDaniel, Ben McDonald, Anthony Pisani, Pat Riggs, Matt Rutledge, Manuel Toledo, Tanner Wood and Jeremy Zich.
Carson's defensive players included: Mason Bondi, Ian Brower, Tyler Brown, Steven Carranza, Owen Craugh, Ryan Cruse, Daniel Draper, Casey Hill, Spud Jacobsen, Matt McDaniel, Matt Parmenter, Chad Plattsmier, Nate Reno and Tyler Smith.
The Snow Bowl Championship game will be played this Saturday at Don Mello Sports Complex in Sparks at 1 p.m. Carson will face its arch rival, the Reno Wolf Pack. The Wolf Pack, the only team to beat the Senators this year, are undefeated. The winner of this game advances to the Pacific Northwest Regional playoff game, which will be held in Reno later this month.
JUNIOR PEE WEE BLUE 31, WOLF PACK 6
The Carson Junior Pee Wee Blue football team continued its winning ways by defeating the Sparks Wolf Pack 31-6.
With this win the Senators improved their record to 9-0 for the season. Carson's offense was diversified this game getting scores from five different players. Patrick Craugh, Chance Quilling, Joseph Zinda and Dylan Sawyers all had rushing touchdowns and quarterback Colin McCulloch found Gabriel Pongasi for a dramatic touchdown reception. Contributing to the ground game and frustrating the Wolf Pack's defense all night long was Brandon Akers and Daniel Okimura.
Making key blocks not only for the McCulloch/Pongasi play, but throughout the entire night for the Senators were Keegan Aiazzi, John Borges, Keith Collier, Alex Crathers, Conner Fallon, Nick Garcia, Issac Hernandez, Jacob Myers, Austin Pacheco, Clinton Page, Pongasi, Cody Reno and Andrew Toland.
"I can't say enough about our line. They've done everything I've expected from them and more," offensive line coach Mike Pacheco said.
Defense and special teams rose to the occasion again for the Senators. Carson's defense was tested but held tough only allowing one touchdown the entire night. Carson's defense would flex its muscle and stop the Wolf Pack's extra point, which would leave the Wolf Pack trailing 19-6 at half.
The Senators defense comprised of Sam Blei, Austin Brown, Rodney Calhoun, Levi Carter, Cole Dufresne, Alex Eddy, Tony Fondi, Cody Hammond, Patrick Hesse, Willy McDonald, Pacheco, Logan Peternell, Pongasi, Quilling, Sawyers, Kurtis Scull, Zach White and Zinda hounded the Wolf Pack for most of the night.
"These kids get better week in and week out. They're are so exciting and fun to watch, you don't want to miss a play," coach Al Teixeira said.
By defeating the Wolf Pack, Carson has earned the right to play the Sparks Cardinals in the Snow Bowl, which will be held this Saturday. The time is yet to be determined. Winner of this game will play in the Regional championship, which will put it up against the Northern California champions. The Regional championship game will be played on November 26 or 27.