Carson's Spencer Rogers makes a tackle against Reed on Friday night.
Carson High’s special teams came to play Friday night, delivering several big plays in the Senators’ heartbreaking 47-41 loss to Reed.
The first belonged to Terin Keller, who returned the opening kick-off 42 yards, setting up the first of Abel Carter’s four touchdown runs two snaps later.
On the next-kickoff after Reed cut the score to 7-6, Spencer Rogers returned the ensuing kick-off 50 yards, setting up another Carter TD run which gave the Senators a 14-6 lead.
“Terin did a great job and so did Spencer,” Carson coach Blair Roman said. “That set the tone for the game; got us off to a great start.”
And then there was kicker Johnny Barahona, who kicked two 46-yard field goals, both in the second half to help Carson wipe out a 26-21 halftime deficit. His second 3-pointer gave Carson a 41-34 lead with 4:38 remaining in regulation. The 46-yard kicks were career bests.
“I missed that first one (from 46), but my teammates picked me up,” Barahona said. “I thought I hit the other two pretty well. I don’t really like to look (once I kick).”
“That’s what we expect from Johnny,” Roman said. “I think tonight was a confidence booster for him.”
ROGERS GETS TWO: Safety Spencer Rogers picked off a carer-best two passes on Friday, and both set up scores.
His first theft came on a third-and-16 play from midfield, setting up a Carson score. The second one was early in the fourth period, and it went off the hands of a Reed receiver. That one set up Barahona’s second field goal and gave Carson a 41-34 lead.
“I looked at his (Reed QB Cameron Emerson) eyes the whole time,” Rogers said. “The second one was deflected and I just kept my eyes on the ball.”
CHANGES WORKED: Carson made some changes on its offensive line, and Roman was pleased with the results.
QB Jace Keema did get sacked a couple of times, but the offense managed more than 400 yards of total offense.
“I think the moves we made paid big dividends,” Roman said.
NO SCOREBOARD ISSUES: The scoreboard, which was malfunctioning two weeks ago against Desert Mountain, worked fine on Friday. Athletic department officials said the issue was caused by broken antennas.