Carson ready for vastly improved Mustangs

CARSON (4-1) at DAMONTE RANCH (2-3)

Friday, 7:30 p.m.

OFFENSE: Quarterback Drew Smith is Damonte's big weapon on offense. He's passed for 644 yards and run for 462 yards. He's accounted for 10 touchdowns. Carson coach Blair Roman said the Mustangs' coaching staff has been very creative in its usage of Smith. Jeff Jurgensmeier leads the Mustangs in rushing with 470 yards and Matt Anderson is the top receiver with 14 catchs for 282 yards and four scores. The Mustangs are averaging 33 points per game. Carson will be without star running back Dylan Sawyers (calf) for the second straight week, but the Senators' offense came through last week with several different skill players - Matt Nolan, Chance Quilling, Brock Pradere, Austin Pacheco and Joey Thurman - picking up the slack.

Advantage - Even

DEFENSE: While the Mustangs have scored on everybody they have played, they have also given up a ton of points, an average of 34 per game to be exact. Linebackers Zach Ewert (10.8 tackles per game) and Connor Raglen (12 stops a game) are the leaders of the defense. Carson played well against the run against Douglas, holding Conner Peterson to 61 yards, but Carson needs to play the pass better and needs to get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Carson needs to be more aggressive defensively.

Advantage - Carson

SPECIAL TEAMS: Carson has relied on the strong leg of Pacheco who has game-winning kicks in each of the last two games. Pacheco continues to be a weapon on field goals and kickoffs.

Advantage - Carson

PREDICTION: The Mustangs are a year older and their JV team was very strong last year. If the Senators can contain Smith, which means not allowing any huge plays, they should win the game although I think this will be closer than a lot of people think.

CARSON 31, DAMONTE 22