Luke Myers had a breakout game, one he and the Carson Senators needed badly.
Myers caught a career-high seven balls for a career-best 92 yards in Friday’s heartbreaking 47-41 loss to Reed.
Simply put, it was the senior’s first significant contribution to the Senators, who relied heavily on Connor Pradere and Asa Carter for the bulk of their passing yardage last season. Myers’ appearances were far and few between.
“It felt good,” Myers said before a recent practice in preparation for Friday’s home game against McQueen. “Last year I started when we played North Valleys because we started in a spread offense, and I played against Hug.”
Myers caught balls on six different drives last week, and four different times Carson drove in for a score.
He got off to a fast start, catching an 11-yard out from Jace Keema on the first play from scrimmage which set the tone for the game, which led to a 44-yard scoring rum by Abel Carter. Carson threw early in many of its drives, which meant Reed couldn’t just load up the box against Carter.
His biggest catch came right before the half when he got behind the secondary and grabbed a 41-yard pass from Carter. That gave CHS a first down at the Reed 20, and the Senators drove in for a score to cut Reed’s lead to 26-21. He had catches of 15 and 11 yards, respectively, on second-half possessions that helped Carson score 10 straight points and take a 41-34 lead.
Myers said getting involved immediately was a big help. It helps calm any nerves he has entering a game.
“It helps your confidence,” Myers said. “It’s just nice to get that first catch out of the way. I’m sure Jace feels the same way.”
“I’m sure that is the case with most kids,” Carson coach Blair Roman said. “It helps most receivers; most kids. It helps a quarterback to get a couple of early completions. Luke definitely stepped it up last week.”
In general, the passing game looked a lot better against Reed than it did in either of the first two games, though 107 yards isn’t great. The ability to move the ball through the air takes even more pressure off Carter.
“I feel like Jace did a good job,” Roman said. “We’re able to run and pass with him. Overall, Jace took a step forward last week.”
Myers and Keema have shown good chemistry on certain routes, and that’s not a big surprise.
“We’ve played together all four years,” Myers said. “Jace and I played JV ball together two years ago (as sophomores). Sometimes before baseball games this summer, we’d go on the football field and practice. Sunday after the Reno game, Jace, Brandon (Gagnon) and I went out and worked out. It helped a lot.”
Make no mistake about it, Carson has, and always will be, a run first type of team. That means the wide receivers are counted on heavily to block. Not the easiest task if you barely weigh 150 pounds like Myers.
“I grew a couple of inches last year and I always try to gain weight,” Myers said. “I gained 10 pounds last year and got stronger. My goal this year is to finish my blocks. I’m a lot better than I was last year.”
Myers usually needs to block on fly and toss plays, and who he blocks depends on what alignment the defense is in.
“For a kid who weighs 150 pounds, he gets after it,” Roman said. “He gives us good effort every play.”