Carson High running back Kyle Rudy runs during the second half of Friday's game against Galena.
Kyle Rudy is making the most of his playing opportunities in the last two weeks.
Rudy scored twice in last week’s 56-0 win over North Valleys, accounting for 75 yards of total offense.
In Friday’s 40-13 win over Galena, Rudy carried six times for 26 yards.
“I feel like I’m playing well,” Rudy said. “There were a couple of runs where I could have done thing differently, I feel the coaches are getting confident about me, and I’m holding onto the ball when I’m in there.”
Coach Blair Roman likes what he’s seen so far.
“Kyle runs very hard and he’s very aggressive,” Roman said. “The last couple of games he’s shown what he’s capable of doing.”
NEW FACE IN BACKFIELD: Bernardo Lopez, who started the season on the offensive line, has been switched to running back. He carried twice for nine yards.
“We moved him after the Reno game,” Roman said.
The coach believes he can take advantage of Lopez’s physical abilities, especially blocking.
Lopez essentially wears two different jerseys. He still brings his lineman shoulder pads and No. 68 jersey out to the field with him.
BOOMING PUNTS: Brandon Gagnon has been struggling, averaging under 30 yards per punt.
He got on track on Friday, averaging 43.5 a punt. The first was a 57-yarder that pinned Galena back at its own 20, and then he popped a nice 30-yarder down to the Galena 4.
“That was good to see,” Roman said. “He had a rough first couple of weeks but I knew he would come around. He’s been working real hard.”
INJURY REPORT: Reserve running back Kellen McDermott (ankle) and Connor Quilling (shoulder) missed the game. Both are expected to be back for the road game at Bishop Manogue next Friday.
STREAK ALIVE: Abel Carter stretched his streak of 100-yard games to six with his 11-carry 162-yard effort. He had four runs of more than 20 yards against Galena. He has carried just 20 times the last two weeks and Carson has still managed to win easily both times.
No doubt he will have to carry a little bigger load as the season moves on.
DEFECTIONS: Galena played without three skill position standouts — wide receiver Mateo Lemus, tailback Jake Berger and wide receiver Bryan Madison — who are no longer listed on the team roster. Tight end Payton Sakelaris was in street clothes, and according to reports, he’s serving out a suspension.
JV TRIUMPHS: On Thursday night, Carson knocked off Galena, 21-7.
Chance Smith had a 60-yard TD run, while Zach Glanzmann and John Rupert had 5-yard scoring runs.
On defense, Glanzmann and Tucker Nichols each had an interception.