HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Carson won't be surprising anyone this year

A year ago, Carson High surprised more than a few people with its Sierra League title and a 9-3 record.

Carson won't be able to sneak up on people this year. The secret is out, and opposing 4A schools know that Carson is for real. Unfortunately, the Senators won't get a chance to defend their Sierra League title because the 4A has been realigned into one 11-team league.

Coach Blair Roman has to replace some talented players like quarterback Blake Plattsmier, two-way lineman Justin Barlow, cornerback Josh Peacock, inside linebackers Luke Carter and Junior Valladares, offensive line standouts Trevor Goodale and Will Flores and defensive end Ryan Hoskins.

Don't shed any tears for Roman, however.

Roman still has speedy junior wingback Dylan Sawyers, who accounted for 26 touchdowns last season, including 16 on the ground. Roman also is expecting big things from two-way star Jon Parker, who has already been offered Division I scholarships by several schools. Linebacker Connor Beattie and all-league and region tight end Tyler Collins plus offensive line standouts Danny Gall and Matt Cooper and cornerback Colby Blueberg, who started most of last season, all also are back.

Quarterback and the three starting spots on the offensive line will be crucial for the Senators, who open the season on Friday against Del Campo.

"We had a very productive summer from a football standpoint," Roman said. "We're coming into camp in great shape. We have very good team speed this year. I think our team speed is as good or better than last year. We also have some pretty good size.

"We have tough kids up front. For a few it will be through baptism by fire."

The line is anchored by center Gall, who is currently injured, but expected to be ready by the 4A opener against North Valleys on Sept. 10. Cooper has been moved from tackle to guard in an effort to use his athleticism.

Newcomers expected to battle for starting roles are 6-foot-7 senior tackle Dalton Simpson, guard-tackle Caleb Jeffers, tackle Zach Hudacko, 260-pound tackle Ruben Olivares and guard-center Jacob Myers. All except Myers were varsity reserves a year ago.

"Danny (Gall) is a solid player," Roman said. "Matt is an excellent player. We moved him to guard because he's so athletic. And he has the ability to pull which is key in our offense. We expect big things from him. Zach has worked very hard this year and Dalton has improved this season."

Losing Plattsmier to graduation was huge. Not only was he productive on the field (1,060 yards passing and 462 rushing), but he also was a leader.

The starting QB job right now belongs to senior Trey Jensen, who started one game last year but threw just 11 passes the entire season. He'll be pushed hard by Chance Quilling, last year's starting JV quarterback.

"Trey won the job through the summer," Roman said. "He's green in terms of game experience. He's super athletic. He's thrown the ball very well. Chase is further along than Blake was at the same stage. We're fortunate to have two very talented quarterbacks."

Jensen, who completed seven of 11 pass attempts last season and had a 59-yard TD run, said he worked hard over the summer.

"I think I can do as well as Blake did," Jensen said. "I have high expectations for myself. My vision has opened up a lot more (with more reps). I've been working really hard on my passing and getting my arm strength up."

Another big year is expected out of Sawyers, who rushed for 954 yards despite missing one full game (Spanish Springs) and not playing the second half against Wooster, Damonte Ranch and South Tahoe. He was the team's second-leading receiver behind Ean Witter with 17 catches for 285 yards and six scores.

"He will be the focal point," Roman said. "He's not going to take anyone by surprise this year."

Beattie will try to fill the shoes of the rugged Mark Sinnott, who rushed for 643 yards last season and was tough in the red zone.

"Connor is a super athlete with great hands," Roman said. "He could play fullback as well as halfback in our offense."

Replacing Carter on a wing, which is more like an H-back, is the rugged 230-pound Parker. He'll be backed up by Blueberg and Austin Pacheco.

"He (Parker) fits that spot perfectly," Roman said. "He can run. He's fast for his size."

The wide receiving corp is very inexperienced. Gabe Pongasi caught three passes for 51 yards, but that's it. Brock Pradere played well at the JV level and Chris Steele was a varsity reserve last year and played almost exclusively on defense.

Carson had the top-rated defense a year ago, racking up a plus-27 turnover ratio. Roman knows it will be very hard to duplicate those numbers. Carson jumped on opponents early, forcing them into obvious passing situations which helped account for the 24 picks.

Roman has a solid corp of defenders - defensive end Parker (34 tackles), outside linebacker Beattie (62 tackles), middle linebacker Collins (55 tackles). cornerback Blueberg (23 tackles, 3 INTs) and middle linebacker Logan Peternell (49 tackles).

Sawyers, who played some free safety last year, is the top candidate to start there again. Pongasi is expected to step in for the departed Peacock opposite Blueberg.

"He's not as talented as Josh, but he's faster than Josh and has a better vertical," Roman said.

Pacheco, Patrick Hesse, Eric DeMar, Bryce Altus and A.J. Winder all are currently working at outside linebacker. Winder also could see time at defensive end.

Jeffers, Zach White and Myers are battling for time at defensive end, while Darian Goldman, Cooper, Aaron Mangione and Olivares are defensive tackle candidates.

The kicking game is in the hands of Pacheco, who has a strong leg. He'll handle kickoffs, punts and PATs/FGs. Roman said Pacheco has 50-yard range.