Carson High’s Kyle Glanzmann grows into role

Kyle Glanzmann literally grew up and out of his clothes last year, and that’s a good thing.

Glanzmann, a cornerback for the Carson Senators a year ago, grew nearly five inches to 5-foot-10 since last football season, and gained 20 pounds. It meant trips to the department store for new shirts and pants.

“Just an unexpected growth spurt,” Glanzmann said after practice on Wednesday. “I never thought I’d be this tall in my life. Just eating more and growing plus I worked out in the weight room a lot.”

“It’s nice (to see),” said CHS defensive coordinator Steve Dilley. “What did he grow? Two or three inches? Five? OK, we’ll go with five. He was physically overmatched in some games, but I liked the way he competed all season. He’s a very competitive kid; gives you 100 percent effort all the time. Last year he lacked a little bit of strength.”

Glanzmann saw extended action in the last five weeks of the season after an injury to Landon Truesdale, and he totaled 18 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass break-up. Most of the season he was able to keep plays in front of him, and despite his size, he wasn’t afraid to mix it up.

The Carson defender admits it was a frustrating season, though, because numerous times he would do everything right only to see a pass just out of his reach. In two instances, if he was at his present height it would’ve been an easy deflection or maybe an interception.

Two plays, both against Damonte in a 34-14 loss that snapped Carson’s 14-game Sierra League win streak, stuck out in his mind. Glanzmann believes he was targeted because he was only 5-5.

“One was a TD and the other went for 40 yards,” Glanzmann said. “It was very frustrating. I watched the game (when I got home) and put it on slo-mo. It gives me a chip on my shoulder and motivates me to work harder. (Damonte quarterback Cade) McNamara throws a good ball. I tried to get in the best position I could. Sometimes there isn’t anything you can do about a perfect pass.”

Receivers will be literally trying to pick on somebody their own size this year, as Glanzmann will be able to look his opponents in the eye most of the time.

“I want to be the best I can be,” Glanzmann said. “I’ll do whatever I can do to help the team win.”

What Glanzmann brings is sound fundamentals and mental toughness. He displays it on the baseball field and the basketball court. And, he brings sound technique. Dilley has noticed how well he turns his hips in pass coverage.

And Dilley said he wants more out of Glanzmann this year.

“We need him to be more physical,” Dilley said. “We need him to press receivers (at the line of scrimmage).

“We also need him to be more of a vocal leader. I know that isn’t easy because he’s quiet by nature.”

Though Glanzmann will be relied on more for his defense, Dilley said he could help at wide receiver, especially when the Senators use multiple receivers.

“He runs very technical routes, and he has good hands,” Dilley said.