Carson High starts defense of its Sierra League championship Friday at home against Galena.
Kick-off is set for 7 p.m., and it’s also Homecoming week.
“I always worry at Homecoming and the kids being focused,” said head coach Blair Roman. “This is a really big game.”
Carson has a 12-game Sierra League winning streak on the line.
Carson’s last Sierra loss was Oct. 25, 2012, to Douglas, 27-25. That was the year the Senators went winless in league after a 4-1 preseason.
Galena went 2-3 in nonleague games, and is coming off to a loss to Spanish Springs. According to reports, several starters didn’t play against Spanish Springs, and it’s not know whether the players in question will be back this week.
On the stat report on Max Preps, running backs Jake Berger and Mateo Lemus, have played just three games. Ditto for tight end/linebacker Peyton Sakelaris. Berger is the Grizzlies’ best runner with 245 yards, and if he has left the program, it would be a big blow.
The Grizzlies, however, still have starting quarterback Derek Kline back. The strong-armed junior has completed 48 percent of his passes for 326 yards and seven scores,
“He has a heck of an arm,” Roman said of Kline. “He’s a playmaker.
“Their offensive line has improved dramatically since the first game.”
ABEL, ABEL, ABEL: Junior running back Abel Carter has five straight games of at last 100 yards, and is averaging 197 yards per game.
Carter is averaging 12.6 yards per carry.
“It’s amazing to see what Abel can do, and he’s always so good about respecting the people who block for,” teammate Tyler Huling said. “I’m sure glad he’s on our team.”
Carter has the ability to make people at the second and third level miss, and only once has he been brought down from behind, and that was last week against North Valleys.
CONFIDENCE BOOSTER: Steve Dilley, Carson’s defensive coordinator, said last week’s effort against North Valley did boost the confidence of his defensive unit. The Senators have yielded 17 total points in wins over McQueen and North Valleys heading into league play.
“We were able to get a look at different people,” he said Monday morning. “We were also able to rest starters because of the score and running clock. We did only play two series’ on defense in the second half because our offense held the ball so long.
“They are starting to realize that they have to play defense with a nasty attitude, and having relentless pursuit to the ball.”
Unofficially, North Valleys had just two first downs.
INJURY REPORT: Wide receiver Luke Myers (shoulder) and linebacker Justin Tschetter (toe) are expected to return to action against the Grizzlies.
Linebacker Connor Quilling (shoulder) injured in the first half on Friday is also expected to play, but Roman said he would limit reps during practice. Roman isn’t sure about Kellen McDermott (leg). That could be a game-time decision.
Defensive end Nick Andreas, who had strep throat recently, should play this week.
If McDermott is unable to play, look for Huling to get some snaps at back-up safety.
MORE TSCHETTER: Tschetter should be fired up for this one. The talented linebacker played at Carson his freshman year, went to Galena his sophomore year and is starting his second season at Carson.
No doubt he will see a lot of old friends on the other sideline come Friday night.