Lewis’ blocked punt keyed CHS comeback in first half

A special teams play and an interception helped get Carson back in the game Friday night against Spanish Springs.

Trailing 16-7 late in the first half, Ikela Lewis blocked a punt which led to a 24-yard scoring pass from Nolan Shine to Dilyn Rooker, cutting Carson’s deficit to 16-13 with two minutes left in the half. “That was just great communication between Brady O’Keefe and myself,” Lewis said. “He took on the block and I was able to get through the gap and was able block the kick.”

“That really gave us momentum in the first half,” added coach Blair Roman.

On the next possession, Asa Carter stepped in front of a Jace Ryals pass at the Carson 34 and returned it 32 yards to the SS 34 which led to another score and a 20-16 Carson lead. Two scores in 36 seconds. It was the highlight of the night for Carson.

Carter finished with two interceptions, and he also intercepted a conversion pass which doesn’t count in the stats as an interception.

Stop the run fellas

Carson gave up 233 yards rushing, and has given up 200 or more yards in three of its four games. In those three games, the opposition has had a runner gain 100 or more yards.

Not a pretty stat.

Spanish Springs ran at will around Cameron Radtke’s side early in the game, and the run support from the linebackers and secondary wasn’t there.

“We struggled with our linebacker play in the first half,” Roman said. “They have a physical offensive line. They had a good game plan.”

Potpourri

Captain Nolan Shine called a brief meeting in the locker room. He urged the seniors to take more of a leadership role, and he reminded them of how the team responded after last year’s loss to Reno ... Johnny Barahona is now 0-for-3 in field goals this season, missing from 25, 42 and 43. He has been perfect on PATs ... Shine was penalized in the second half for “throwing the ball forward” in an attempt to get a first down ... Colby Brown’s 41-yard game was the lowest this season, and it came on the heels of his 250-yard effort against North Valleys.