Head coach Blair Roman gives instruction to players on the first day of spring practice on Monday.
Less than a year after suffering a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee during summer camp in Lake Tahoe, Colby Brown returned to the football field with the Carson Senators.
Brown, who rushed for 771 yards and six scores as a sophomore fullback, took part in opening drills on Carson’s first day of spring practice on Monday. The Senators practice again today and Wednesday before wrapping up Thursday with a 7-on-7 scrimmage.
“It feels really good,” Brown said after going full speed during the two-hour practice. “It’s great getting back into the swing of things. I’m getting there (to 100 percent).
“Last year was tough. It was hard to watch, coming off a bad season (4-5 his sophomore year) as a team and then the team having a good season last year and not being a part of it.”
There is nobody happier to see him playing than head coach Blair Roman.
“I’m tickled to see him out there,” Roman said. “He said he feels great. He’s a good kid, and he’s worked very hard to get back out here. It was a big blow last year when he got hurt.”
It’s been a long road back for Brown, who was cleared by doctors around the first of the year.
“There have been some ups and downs,” Brown said. “I’ve had a lot of help from a lot of different people.”
Going into last year, prior to the injury, Roman intimated that he was going to move Brown around a bit on offense in an effort to take advantage of his versatility. That attitude hasn’t changed. Nevin Elliott carried the load at fullback last season and had a big year. Seamus Burns shows some promise at fullback, and he will get some more snaps there this year.
“(Brown) will move around a lot,” Roman said. “It’s both versatility and match-ups. It could be a game plan thing or a match-up situation. We have to find where he’s more comfortable.”
Brown has gained 30 pounds since his sophomore year. At first glance, his legs and upper body are a lot more impressive. He said he may be a step slower, but Roman said it’s too early to tell that.
Brown just shrugged when asked if he knew where he would line up this year.
“I have no clue,” Brown said. “It’s whatever the coach wants; whatever is best for the team.”
“He’s going to get some work at fullback,”Roman said. “He did some impressive things there as a sophomore.”
In a 40-27 win over North Valleys, Brown rushed for a season-best 202 yards.
Brown worked at outside linebacker during practice on Monday, and it’s a good bet he’ll play some defense in the upcoming season, though most of his time will be on the offensive side of the ball.
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The focus on the four days of spring ball is simple — get the kinks out.
“Basically it gives us time to knock off the rust, and do some basic stuff,” Roman said. “We’re laying the foundation for the coming year.”
Roman said the summer program starts on July 7, and the Senators will once again be at the summer camp in Lake Tahoe July 17-19.
NOTES: The Senators were missing two starters from last season — linebacker-quarterback Nolan Shine (illness) and safety Asa Carter (track). Shine went home sick and Carter is preparing for this weekend’s state meet, and won’t be at any of the practices. Also missing is Corey Reid, a back-up wide receiver, who also is training for state track ... In Shine’s absence, Vic Castro V and Jace Keema got most of the reps under center. Shine backed up Garrett Schafer last year and threw just a couple of passes ... A newcomer to the program is basketball star Cameron Price, who hasn’t played football since eighth grade.