The injury-plagued Carson Senators Pee Wee youth football team overcame adversity to post a 22-6 win over the Sparks Raiders last week.
The Senators were missing two starting linebackers and two starting offensive backs. "Shea Bondi, Jaylin Haywood, Austin Pacheco and Joe Zinda played new positions they haven't played and did a great job for us," offensive coordinator Leonard Lee said.
Carson drove 60 yards on its opening drive for a score, with Pacheco scoring from five yards. The Senators settled for a 6-0 halftime lead.
Sean Cutunilli completed a 39-yard scoring pass to Pacheco and then in the fourth quarter, Cutunilli scored on a 42-yard run. Paving the way for Cutunilli, Haywood, Pacheco, Chance Quilling and Zinda were Keegan, Aiazzi, Bondi, John Borges, Levi Carter, Keith Collier, Alex Crathers, Nick Garcia, Rafe King, Chris Johnson, Nate Landers, Jake Myers, Logan Peternell, Gabriel Pongasi, Jake Thompsonj and Andrew Toland.
The defense of Bondi, Austin Brown, Patrick Craugh, Cole Dufresne, Matt Galvin, Haywood, Patrick Hesse, Russel Jones, Edward Meza, Pacheco, Chris Paras, Peternell, Pongasi, Zach White and Zinda held the Raiders scoreless until the fourth quarter.
Carson forced three fumbles. Peternell caused one of the fumbles that was recovered by Paras with a sack. The Raiders scored on a 45-yard pass with nine seconds left.
"We played tough for 47 minutes and 51 seconds," defensive coordinator Steve Sawyers said. "I am proud of the way these kids played.
"They played a great game, some played out of position and they overcame the loss of key personnel. You can't ask for more than that."
Carson will next play North Tahoe at 10 a.m. Saturday at Incline High.