Carson running back Colby Brown (21) runs one up the gut in a win over Reno Friday night at CHS.
After two successful varsity seasons, running back Colby Brown is ready to take his game to the next level.
Brown recently agreed to attend College of Idaho, an NAIA school in Caldwell, to play football for the Coyotes. Brown, who also talked to Willamette University in Oregon and Reedley (Calif.) Junior College, will be playing for head coach Mike Moroski, who previously coached at UC Davis after an eight-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, Houston Oilers and San Francisco 49ers.
“It came together the last week of school,” Brown said. “It seemed like the right fit (academically and athletically). I have not seen the campus yet. I’m going to a camp up there in July, and I’ll find out more then.
“Coach (Roman) sent them tape and had contact with them a couple of times. The program is really young. I’ve heard good things about the program.
“I definitely want to continue to get faster and stronger, and continue to have a good work ethic.”
Roman said he contacted COI, which just started up its program in 2014 after a 30-year absence right after the 2014 season ended.
“I’m very proud of Colby,” Roman said. “He is one of the finest young men I’ve coached in 25 years. I couldn’t think of a better person to get an opportunity to play at the next level. The best compliment I can give Colby was that it was his goal to play at the next level, and he worked hard to have a great senior year which he did. He never put his own goals above team success, and now he’s got that opportunity.
“It just shows how that type of attitude will pay off in the end instead of the mentality that the game owes him a scholarship. I couldn’t be happier for him. It’s a nice opportunity for him and I wish him the best.”
After gaining 771 yards and scoring six TDs as a sophomore, Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury during summer camp in Lake Tahoe. Brown didn’t mope, he just went out and worked diligently at rehabbing the injury. When he reported for his senior year he was in great shape and was moved to wingback to take advantage of his speed and pass-catching ability.
Brown gained 1,248 yards and scored 16 times in helping Carson win the Sierra League championship and reach the regional finals. He also added 22 catches for 259 yards and two more scores. It was a great way to come back from an injury, and even a greater way to end a great high school career.
Brown’s most prolific game came against North Valleys when he carried 30 times for 243 yards and two scores in a 35-21 Carson victory. His breakout game his sophomore year came against North Valleys when he rushed 28 times for 202 yards and three scores in a 40-27 victory.
Brown was a threat both catching and running the ball his senior year. In fact, he worked hard on improving his pass-catching skills which is why Roman moved him to wingback. During his two-year varsity stint, he was one of Carson’s most dependable players. Rarely did he have a bad outing.
Now, the 190-pound Brown is ready to tackle the biggest athletic challenge of his football career, and he’ll do it with the quiet resolve that he showed at Carson.