Junior Pee Wees beat Douglas

The Carson Senator Junior Midget youth football team used its defense to beat the previously unbeaten Douglas Tigers 25-0.

Jake Myers led the defensive charge picking off Tigers quarterback Sam Cochran in the fourth quarter and returning it 61 yards for the touchdown. Myers also recovered a fumble and returned it 28 yards, rumbling down to the 11 yard line.

Gabriel Pongasi would find the ball as well, picking off Cochran in the third quarter and would return it 47 yards to set up Carson's second touchdown. Patrick Hesse would also get in the interception mode, picking off Cochran in the second quarter.

The defensive attack for the Senators was led by Colby Blueberg, Patrick Craugh, Devon Harrill, Hesse, Rafe King, Myers, Carter Nuckles, Austin Pacheco, Logan Peternell, Pongasi, Chance Quilling, Dylan Sawyers, Zack White and Joe Zinda.

The Senators defense would also have outstanding plays from Craugh, who recovered a fumble, Quilling, who blocked a punt and Blueberg, Craugh, Pacheco, Peternell, Sawyers and Zinda all had stops for losses.

"We know this was going to be a tough game and we told our players they needed to step it up a notch, which they did," said defensive line coach Junior Lopez. "Myers came through and had the game of his life. We always know he had it in him and today he proved us right."

Carson's offense would be kept at bay in the first half. Both the Senators and Tigers would go into halftime tied at zero.

Carson's been known as a second half team and that held true again. After Pongasi's interception, Quilling would hand off to Pacheco who swept around the left side for nine yards and the Senators' first score. After Pacheco kicked the extra point, the Senators would lead 8-0 and never look back.

The Senators would get the ball back again in the third quarter and take full advantage of it. This time Sawyers would take the hand off from Quilling and go over right tackle Nick Garcia who opened up a huge hole. Sawyers would scamper for 49 yards and put the ball on the 3 yard line.

Pacheco put the ball in the end zone for the Senators. Pacheco again would kick the extra point and put the Senators up 16-0.

"Our line played fantastic," said offensive line coach Mike Pacheco. "Keegan Aiazzi, John Borges, Levi Carter, Bryce Collings, Alex Crathers, Garcia, King, Peternell and Joe Zinda blocked the way we needed them too. We told them at halftime that we needed just a little extra; hold that block for one extra second and things will turn around for us. Look at that scoreboard, things sure did turn around for us!"

"We had two players have career games for us," head coach Leonard Lee stated. "Not only did Myers put in a stellar performance, but offensive tackle Nick Garcia had a career game as well. He opened holes time and time again for us tonight. I am really proud of the way he came to play tonight."

Carson would get one more offensive score. Pacheco would add a 30 yard field goal in the fourth quarter to put the Senators up 19-0. By beating Douglas, Carson moved into a tie for first place in the division. This is the third straight year in a row that Carson has either finished first or tied for first in its division. By shutting out the Tigers, it also gives the Senators their 20th shutout in three years.