Douglas targets Sawyers in tonight's showdown

Carson High football coach Blair Roman is great when it comes to attention to detail, so you know that he will be quick to point out a few things to his 4-0 team prior to tonight's game (7 p.m.) against arch-rival Douglas.

• Last year's 34-6 win, which capped an undefeated Sierra League season for the Senators, doesn't count. It was last year and personnel has changed on both sides.

• Don't underestimate Douglas because the Tigers are 1-3 entering the contest and off to its slowest start since 2001.

• Contain the Tigers' dangerous running back Ryan Ake, who has accounted for 551 yards rushing and receiving thus far in trying to fill the shoes of last year's talented senior Johnny Pollack.

Carson leads the all-time series 44-21-3. Prior to last year, Douglas had won seven straight. No doubt Carson would love to start a nice streak of its own.

"Their record is deceiving," Roman said earlier this week. "They have played arguably the toughest schedule in our league. They played close games with Reed and Bishop Manogue. They lost 28-0 to McQueen, but it was only 7-0 at the half.

"It's different this year. We're playing in the middle of the season. We played in the final week last year and there was a big buildup to the game all season. You don't have the same buildup. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out."

There will be emotion and plenty of it, however. Roman has been on both sides of the rivalry, having played at Douglas for Mike Rippee and now coaching the Senators. Rippee has seen it all from only the Douglas sideline.

"I always tell the kids, you might not have a heartbeat if you can't get amped up for this one," Rippee said. "It's the best and oldest rivalry in the region. A lot of people in both valleys have been a part of this game.

"This year, Carson is No. 1. They're having a great year and they have arguably the best player in the north (Dylan Sawyers). It's a great challenge, it's what football is all about."

Sawyers will be uppermost on the mind of Rippee and his defensive unit, which is led by Zach Falanga, Conner Peterson and Trevor Hemseth. Sawyers has 801 yards rushing through four games with 10 TDs, and he also leads the team in receiving with 13 catches for 170 yards and a score.

"They run a fast-paced, quick-tempo offense," Rippee said of the Senators. "You see different offenses all the time but Blair has stayed true with that Wing T concept. He adds some tough things to it. You see different offenses all the time, but the bottom line with Carson is Sawyers. I don't care what offense you run, you'll look good with a guy like him.

"We have to quick-tempo our approach. It's no different than preparing for a Reed or a North Valleys in that they spread the field and go no-huddle, but you are facing a guy that can take it to the house any time he touches the ball.

"I'm glad it's not a one-on-one game (said with a laugh). It is a team game and we have to focus on getting hats to the ball and playing team defense. There's not one guy on any team that is going to stop him. "

Bishop Manogue bottled up Sawyers and the entire offense for a half last week, but we all know it takes more than 24 minutes of good football to win a game. Sawyers torched the Miners for 248 second-half yards, finishing with 280 and three scores in the 29-14 win.

Sawyers is by far the Senators' most dangerous weapon, but not the only one. Fullback Connor Beattie had a big night against North Valleys (16 carries, 151 yards), and quarterback Trey Jensen has completed more than 60 percent of his passes.

"Zach (Falanga) is a solid player," Roman said. "With Hemseth, I've seen improvement every week. They are tough and strong up the middle."

Douglas' offense is capable of putting big numbers on the board as evidenced by its 49-point outburst against North Valleys and the 30-point effort against Bishop Manogue.

Ake is averaging more than five yards a carry, while Peterson is averaging eight yards an attempt (20 for 160).

Quarterback Zach Williams was hurt early in the season, and Sam Cochran (63 rushing yards, 258 yards passing) has done an admirable job filling.

Whether Williams will be back tonight doesn't matter that much, according to Roman.

"You have to stop the run (against Douglas)," Roman said. "They like to run it. Ake is a big part of what they do.

"Pollack was more of a north-south guy. Ake is more of a slasher. He has really good vision."

Williams completed 16 of 44 before his injury in the loss to Reed. He certainly is a more dangerous thrower than Cochran.

"Cochran has done a nice job for them," Roman said. "He makes some things happen back there

Williams hasn't been the only Douglas player injured this year. Defensive end Scott Rudnick and tackle Patrick Miller and top returning receiver Austin Neddenriep also have been injured.

"It's been hard," Rippee said. "We had some high expectations entering the year and we still do. Everyone goes through injury problems, but we seemed to get our fair share early with some key guys. But dealing with adversity is a part of life. How you respond to it is the measure of a man."