Trey Jensen admits freely that the 2009 season was a tough one for him for a couple of different reasons. The first was a lack of playing time. After starting at quarterback on the JV team as a sophomore, Jensen had to watch from the sidelines as senior Blake Plattsmier helped guide the Senators to the Sierra League championship and the zone semifinals. Jensen did get one start, which he won against South Tahoe. He played some during the regular season against Damonte Ranch, Wooster and Fallon, all of which were decided by halftime.
The second reason were a couple of nagging injuries which caused Jensen, who made some starts in the defensive backfield, to miss time against Manogue and North Valleys.
"It was really tough," Jensen said as he got ready to practice in preparation for Friday's game (7 p.m.) against arch-rival Douglas in Minden. "I was disappointed. My dad (Gary) told me to keep my head up.
"Blake improved a lot from his junior to senior year, and that's why he started. He did a good job. I tried to push him to be the best that he could be, and it made me better, too."
Just like he pushed Plattsmier a year ago, Jensen found himself being pushed by JV starter Chance Quilling this year. The experience Jensen picked up last year on varsity and his improved passing enabled him to win the job.
"I think Trey knew he had competition," Carson coach Blair Roman said. "Chance has a strong an arm as any junior I've ever coached.
"Trey focused on what he wanted to do and really committed himself to being a student of the game. He never missed a meeting with me. He worked hard at being the best quarterback he could be."
One thing Roman wanted Jensen to improve on was his throwing, and the Carson senior did just that. Through four games, Jensen has completed 37 of 59 passes (63 percent) for 473 yards and two scores.
"I tried to build up my strength," Jensen said. "I worked hard in the weight room; built up my upper body and lower body. I threw a lot of balls during the spring and summer."
Besides his passing, Jensen has run for 131 yards and a couple of scores. He has yet to lose a game he has started under center for the Senators, dating back to last year's South Tahoe win. And, he has the confidence that every signal-caller needs.
"So far, I'd give myself an A-minus or B-plus (overall)," Jensen said. "I think passing the ball is my strength. I've got pretty good numbers.
"I haven't really run the ball that much."
Jensen has the ability to get outside, and Roman likes to roll him out to throw or tuck it and go. That's where Jensen's style differs with Plattsmier, who did a good job of getting yards between the tackles when he kept the ball. Jensen is more dangerous when he gets the ball out on the wings.
One of Jensen's biggest plays of the season came last week against Manogue. Facing a fourth-and-1 from the Manogue 38, he took the ball around the left side for 18 yards and a first down at the 20. A personal foul penalty took the ball all the way down to the 10 which led to an Austin Pacheco field goals, and set the stage for a 23-point second half.
"I'm pretty excited by what he's done," Roman said. "He can make plays with his feet. He sees the field really well; at least as good or better than Blake did last year.
"That's one of his strengths, getting outside the containment. Against Hug, he got outside well and he threw the ball well. He made some good decisions."
THE JENSEN FILE
Position: Quarterback
Year in school: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-0, 170
Varsity experience: Second year