Carson's Blair Roman and Truckee's Bob Shaffer, the coaches in tonight's annual Sertoma Classic football game, share one opinion.
Both expect that tonight's contest at Mackay Stadium (7 p.m.) will be a low-scoring affair. Not because each team doesn't have firepower, but because the teams only had four days to prepare for the contest, and it's easier to put in a defense than an offense.
"I would expect a low scoring game," Roman, the Blue team head coach, said earlier this week. "These guys haven't played together. The biggest challenge is coming together as a team in all three phases of the game."
"You really only have three days," said Shaffer, who heads the Silver squad. "The fourth day (Thursday) is just pictures (and a light practice). I was looking to figure out what everybody can do; what they were asked to do offensively and defensively. I hope it's a low scoring game, that way we'll be in the game. When one team starts scoring points, they can get on a roll."
Some of the Blue squads top defenders played at Carson this year - cornerback Josh Peacock (9 interceptions, 43 tackles), defensive tackle Ryan Hoskins (66 tackles, 5 sacks). Linebacker Luke Carter (116 tackles) and tackle Justin Barlow (81 tackles).
McQueen defensive back Corey Sharpe (45 tackles), Galena safety Garrett Shutt, Manogue's Jake Ramatici, Fernley linebacker A.J. Estrada (79 tackles), Fernley defensive tackle Brian Keathley (41 tackles) and Galena defensive tackle Mick Johnson are players to keep an eye on.
The Silver squad boasts some impressive stoppers, too. Douglas linebacker Johnny Pollack, the 4A Player of the Year, Hug's Isi Lotulelei (57 tackles), Reed's Brandon Mondragon (95 tackles) and Truckee's duo of safety Jordan Deiro (77 tackles) and linebacker Luis Aguilar (82 tackles) and Spanish Springs' Luke Arciniega.
Neither coach would tip his hand on what kind of offense would be run, but with the multitude of Carson players on the roster, one could expect to see some of what the Senators ran during the season.
"We're going to play to the strengths of our skill people," Roman said. "We'll run our base and throw in a few wrinkles. I'll leave it at that."
Carson QB, Blake Plattsmier (1.060 yards passing), Galena's Beau Bickel (1,675 yards passing) and Fernley's Bryce Baker (1,613 yards), will take turns under center.
Galena's Eric Howsley (1,258 yards rushing), Carson's Mark Sinnott (643 yards) and McQueen's Lucas Fejer (911 yards) are expected to carry the load in the backfield. Shutt is the top receiver (39 catches, 750 yards).
Shaffer has been impressed with both of his quarterbacks, Lovelock's Dylan Bloyed and Reed's Tyler Pine. Bloyed is a two-way threat, throwing for 1,450 yards and 15 TDs and running for 643 yards. Pine, the ringleader of Reed's spread offense, threw for 2,634 yards and 30 scores.
The top Silver receivers are Douglas' Danny King (30 catches, 349 yards) and Reed's Aaron Greenblat (1,370 yards, 13 TDs). Pollack (1,054 yards) and Deiro (680 yards) are expected to get work in the backfield.
NOTES: This is Shaffer's fifth Sertoma game. He is 3-1, his only setback was in overtime ... Admission is $10 and kids 5 and younger get in free. All proceeds from the game are donated back to the community through local charities, other funds from Sertoma, are donated to academic and extracurricular activities at participating high schools.
LOCAL SERTOMA PLAYERS
SILVER
Douglas - RB-LB Johnny Pollack, WR-K Niko Vasquez, WR Danny King, OL-DL Ryan Moglich, DE-OL Garrett Tenney.
BLUE
Carson - LB Luke Carter, QB Blake Plattsmier, DT Ryan Hoskins, RB Mark Sinnott, OL-DL Justin Barlow, OL Trevor Goodale, OL Will Flores, DB Josh Peacock.
Dayton - LB Ricky Bodine, OL Justin Sabatoni, OL Jeff Peterson