Coach Shane Quilling encourages his players during the first game of a double-header with Galena.
If there ever was a man who was named appropriately, it was Shane Quilling.
Much like the character played by Alan Ladd in “Shane,” Quilling could be gruff, but was also known for his compassion — and his passion.
Quilling, who unexpectedly died in February at the age of 53, will be inducted into the Carson High Football Hall of Fame on Saturday during the annual Kickoff Dinner.
The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held at the Bob McFadden Plaza.
Along with Quilling, the Mariani brothers, Ferd and Gino, Ray Sanchez and Jon Stewart will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Quilling’s children, former standout CHS athletes Chance and Connor and current standout CHS athlete Camryn, will accept their father’s honor on his behalf.
Quilling taught and coached at CHS from 2000-2018. He served as the Senators’ head football coach from 2001-2008. He also served as head softball coach and as an assistant track coach.
In addition he played an integral role in the Senators’ success from 2009-2015 in football during an era in which CHS finished as Northern 4A runners-up five times in six years (2010, 2011, 2013-2015) and won six league titles in seven years (2009-2011, 2013-2015).
One of the players who speaks highly of Quilling is Stewart, who played for Quilling.
The 2004 CHS graduate was an all-state linebacker in 2003 and went onto play for Weber State. He along with Nick Shine formed an outstanding linebacking duo.
“One of the most formidable linebacking crews in school history and maybe in Northern Nevada history,” CHS football coach Blair Roman said.
Ferd Mariani served as an assistant coach under CHS football coach Paul Croghan during much of the 1980s and played an integral role in the Senators finishing as regional runners-up in 1983 and 1987.
“A lot of former players speak very highly of Ferd and the influence he had on them,” Roman said.
Ferd’s brother, Gino, was the starting quarterback for the 1983 team during his senior year after moving from Ely.
Gino led CHS to a 7-2 regular season and was also an all-region punter and all-state performer. He was also outstanding in basketball and baseball. “Just an outstanding athlete,” Roman said.
Gino, who’s the first punter to be inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame, went on to punt for Idaho State. He’s also gone on to a successful coaching career, leading Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho, to the state championship last season.
Sanchez, a 1997 CHS graduate, is the first kicker to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He also played wide receiver and cornerback for the Senators.
As a junior, he played for a Carson team that went 8-1 in the regular season in 1995.
He went onto kick for the University of Nevada. “Just a good, all-around player,” Roman said.
Tickets for the dinner are $25 and are available by going to the Senators Football Boosters Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/SenatorsFootballBoosters/. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the event.