The Senators celebrate a big league championship win over Galena 51-21 while a player tries to douse Coach Blair Roman with water in the background at Carson High Friday night.
When Blair Roman took the Carson High football coaching job in 2008, he wanted to build a competitive program and be a playoff team.
Mission accomplished.
Thanks to an explosive offense, led by Greg Wallace’s three rushing touchdowns, the Senators chalked up 481 yards en route to a 51-21 crushing of Galena, capturing their third consecutive Sierra League championship and sixth title under Roman. The 51 points was the second-most this season and Carson has now won seven straight games, the second-longest win streak in the state.
Carson won Sierra League titles in 2009, 2013, 2014 and this year. In 2010 and 2011 when Division I was just one league, the Senators shared titles with McQueen and Reed, respectively.
“It’s a credit to the coaching staff and how we all worked to build a program,” Roman said. “I felt like we could build a competitive program; a respectable program and fight for playoff spots. We’ve had a good run. The kids want to live up to the groups before them.
“I felt last year (2014 title team) was one of the most satisfying,” Roman said. “This team is becoming like last year’s team. I’m really starting to enjoy them. It’s a good group and they work hard.”
Roman has always been quick to praise the work of his assistant coaches — offensive line coach Jim Franz, linebacker coach Shane Quilling, defensive coordinator Steve Dilley, defensive line coach Vic Castro, kicking coach Jim deArrieta, QB coach Kiko Vega and Scott Witter, wide receiver coach. It’s a cohesive, hard-working group who has meshed well and adapted to new faces throughout Roman’s stint.
Roman has had just two losing seasons since he started (2008 and 2012), and those were the only two years he hasn’t coached Carson to a championship.
Senior Asa Carter has been an intergal part of Carson’s last three titles. He’s the ringleader of a senior class who has yet to lose a Sierra League game. Carter & Co. will look to continue that streak when they visit Douglas a week from Thursday in the regular-season finale.
“It feels great to be a part of a championship team,” Carter said. “It’s a credit to the players and coaches for all the hard work that we put in. I’m just happy for all the boys.” And with good reason. Winning three straight titles isn’t easy, and the Senators have done that not once but twice since 2008.
Carson has accomplished a lot since 2008, and the only thing missing is a regional championship. The Senators came close last year, and they want nothing more than to clear that hurdle this season.