Carson, Dayton set for scrimmages today

Like every other football coach in Northern Nevada, Carson High’s Blair Roman is anxious to see his team in pads and knocking heads with another team.

The Senators, the defending Sierra League champions, will scrimmage Manogue and Galena today at 10:45 a.m. at Bishop Manogue. Carson will play both teams during the regular season.

With that in mind, Roman said he plans to keep things simple on both sides of the ball. Carson opens its 2014 season against Clayton Valley Charter at 8 p.m. on Aug. 30 in the Honor Bowl.

Roman said the format is a little different than normal.

“We’re going to be on the field on offense or defense for 15 minutes at a time,” he said. ”We’ll try to run off (on offense) as many plays as we can. We can probably get 15 plays in which is pretty good.

“We’ll get two for sure offensive possessions and maybe a third. If we get a third possession that will be with our second group. We’ll mix in 1s and 2s on the first and second possessions.

“We need to see what we can execute and what we can’t. I’m concerned more about us.”

Roman figures anywhere from 30 offensive plays and a like number of defensive plays.

“This year I wouldn’t have minded a second scrimmage because of the quality opponent in the first game,” he said. “However, you don’t want to lose anybody playing a scrimmage instead of a game.”

Roman expects first-year starting QB Nolan Shine to play around 20 plays with Joe Nelson getting the remainder of plays.

“If the opportunity comes for me to put Joe in there on the first drive I will,” Roman said. “Definitely you’ll see me switch on our second possession.”

Roman said the team is injury free.

Dayton hosts Yerington, Fernley

The Dust Devils’ three-way scrimmage kicks off at 9 a.m. at Dayton.

Coach Rob Turner has set an interesting format. Each team will run 10 plays from its own 30, five plays from the opposing 12-yard line, four from the opponent’s 2-yard line and four from its own 1.

It gives coaches a chance to see offense and defense in vastly different situations.

Turner, who has 30 on his roster, will suit up about 25 players. He has a few banged up reserves who won’t suit up.

“I think we’re fairly set (with our starting line-up),” Turner said. “All starters are healthy. We have a couple of backups we want to take a look at.”

Dayton hosts Lovelock in its season opener on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m.