Soukup doesn’t play like rookie for Carson High football in starting debut

Blaine Soukup admitted he had butterflies Friday night.

That isn’t a surprise considering he was making his first-ever varsity start. He played with the aplomb of a three-year letterman in Carson High’s easy 45-7 win over North Valleys Friday night at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex.

Soukup, who started in place of the injured Eddie Duarte at tackle, helped Carson run for 363 yards (438 overall).

“I found out on Wednesday that I was going to start when Adam (Hunsaker, CHS trainer) said Eddie was out for the game,” he said. “I had to keep my mind on it.”

Soukup played every snap while the first unit was on the field, and line coach Jim Franz was happy with what he saw.

“He did great,” Franz said. “I have to look at film, but I liked what I saw.”

Soukup made a key block on quarterback Joe Nelson’s 36-yard scoring run on the first play of the second quarter. The burst gave the Senators a 21-0 advantage.

“We run that belly follow, and Blaine (or whoever is playing tackle) has the key block on that,” Franz said. “His pass protection was good, too.”

Roman said Soukup’s play was something that was preached during the week.

“The big thing we talked about all week was about getting a shot; an opportunity and a chance to do something with it,” Roman said. “Blaine stepped up for Eddie.”