If a statement could ever be made in a scrimmage, Chance Smith made it.
But if you think it did anything to shake up the defending Northern 4A champions, think again.
Yes, Smith and the Senators’ offensive line looked impressive on Smith’s 60-yard touchdown run in Friday night’s scrimmage against Reed at Carson High.
But Reed also looked impressive with a passing game that appeared to already be in mid-season form.
“We’re going to get better every week,” Carson coach Blair Roman told his team after the game.
Each team ran six-play series to begin with and Smith scored on the last play of Carson’s first series, breaking a tackle in the secondary on his way to the end zone.
“That was really encouraging to see,” Roman said. “I thought it was a well-blocked play on Aug. 17. That was really nice to see.”
Smith and Gilbert Vasquez look like they’re going to be a nice 1-2 punch for Carson on both sides of the ball.
Smith and Vasquez should also provide stability for a defensive backfield that took its lumps against Reed away from those two players.
Vasquez also had a nice 14-yard run and a nice play on defense in which he fought through a block to make a tackle for loss on a screen pass.
Carson’s defense did get better as the scrimmage went on with other highlights including a pass breakup for Mike Hurlbert and a tackle for loss by Luke Konrad. Roman said he was also pleased with the play of middle linebacker Manny Vasquez.
But Reed came out firing on all cylinders in its first series against a defense that returns just two starters.
Reed scored three touchdowns on its first six plays. The Raiders broke off a 53-yard run on its first play, scored on the next play and then scored on a 60-yard pass, giving it two touchdowns in three plays. Reed had two TD passes in its first series.
“They sure did,” said Roman about Reed’s passing game looking like it was in mid-season form.
After watching Reed during the summer, Roman said, “I was really impressed with how they’re throwing the ball.”
And with a young defense, Roman said, “That’s not a good match up for us right now. We had some ugly plays in the back half.”
But Carson’s defense settled down on Reed’s next series, allowing no big plays and also didn’t allow the Raiders to score.
Carson also had an impressive drive on its second series, beginning with Smith’s 5-yard run and Brad Maffei’s 7-yard run.
Johnny LaPlante, who split time at quarterback with Blake Menzel, also looked impressive after rolling out on a 19-yard pass, threading the needle to tight end JoJo Acosta.
After his initial receiver was covered, LaPlante bought time to find Acosta.
“Johnny did a good job on that play,” Roman said.
As far as the kicking game, Ben Granados made the extra point from 27 yards after Smith’s touchdown and Leo Rodriguez also converted an extra point.