Brandon Gagnon (10) holds up the ball he intercepted while Spencer Rogers (33) indicates the change of posession Saturday night against Desert Mountain.
With Luke Myers sidelined with a shoulder injury, the Carson Senators will rely heavily on senior Brandon Gagnon and untested Terin Keller Friday against North Valleys.
Myers injured his shoulder in the first half of the McQueen game. Trainer Adam Hunsaker expects Myers to return for the Sierra League opener against Galena.
Myers had 11 receptions for 128 yards in 3 1/2 games. Gagnon has three catches for 81 yards and a TD. The TD came last week in the 45-17 win over McQueen. Keller has yet to catch a pass.
“Brandon is going to have to play a lot of offense this week,” CHS head coach Blair Roman said. “He’s a senior, and we trust him out there.
“We’re trying to develop our younger receivers, and Terin is at the top of the list. Cole Porter is still learning the position, and Tanner Kalicki, a junior, also is learning the spot after playing JV last year. We have some good, young kids. Terin will definitely get some snaps on Friday.”
Keller, who also wrestles, is rugged as one might expect. He’s only 5-foot-8, however.
“The receivers are all different sizes, and Jace (Keema) has been throwing to all of them,” Roman said. “Last week Jace actually underthrew Terin.”
LOOKING AT NORTH VALLEYS
The Panthers enter the game winless, coming off a 48-0 loss to Douglas Friday. North Valleys averages just a touchdown per game.
“They run multiple formations, and they like to mix things up,” Roman said. I’m impressed with their tight end (Sheldon Martin). He can go up and get the ball. We have to be aware of where he’s lined up. Their fly back (DaJon Moore) has good speed. Their QB (Matt Sneed) is back, and they like to feature him in the running attack like we do with Jace (Keema).”
Through three games, Sneed is 15-for-35 for 127 yards. The offense is averaging 216 per game and allowing 324 per game.
PROTECTING KEEMA
Roman feels changes made prior to the Reed game have paid off, especially when it comes to pass protection.
There was one breakdown which led to a fumble and the game-winning score against Reed, but other than that, Keema has had time to throw.
“I feel like it’s shaped up,” Roman said. “It’s a process. There are so many nuances to protecting the passer.”
“I think we’ve done pretty well for being together a short amount of time,” said offensive guard/defensive tackle Sheldon Miller.
Carson is coming off its best running game of the season, a 486-yard effort against McQueen, as both Keema (186) and Abel Carter (169) went over the 100-yard mark. Carter has rushed for more than 100 yards four straight games.
TSCHETTER STATUS
Linebacker Justin Tschetter, who’s averaging 11 tackles per game, is a game-time decision. He didn’t dress for practice on Monday, and has been battling a toe injury.
Because this is a non-league game, Roman won’t take any chances. He wants Tschetter healthy for Galena.
TURNOVER BATTLE
Carson is a minus-1 in takewaways. Carson has recovered two fumbles and intercepted five passes while losing three fumbles and turning the ball over five times on interceptions.
Most coaches will tell you winning the turnover battle is critical to a team’s success, and Roman has always stressed ball control.