Bradley Maffei carries the ball through the line with a block from CJ Linkul during Friday's game against Damonte Ranch.
There’s nothing else for the Carson High football team to do but to move on.
“That’s all you can do anyway,” said Carson coach Blair Roman after last week’s 70-7 loss to Damonte Ranch.
But the Senators (1-7, 0-3) have a chance for redemption this week when they travel to Wooster to face the Colts. No disrespect to Wooster but after a gauntlet of a schedule, Carson faces a team in Wooster (2-6, 0-3) it definitely should have a chance to beat.
As Roman said, “it would be nice to take a bus ride after a win.” Kickoff for Friday’s game is 7 p.m.
Roman described Wooster as a team similar to Lower Lakes (Carson’s only win this year, a 34-27 victory in the season opener) and Galena in “that we’re comparable with talent-wise and size-wise.”
About his team’s morale, Roman said, “it’s great actually.” “I feel like we had a really great practice yesterday,” said Roman about Monday’s practice.
“We’re focused on just having a positive attitude. We’re just focusing on getting the right mind set.”
Wooster opened the season 2-0 with a 24-14 win over San Lorenzo Valley and a 20-19 overtime win over Hug. But the Colts have lost six straight since then, including last Friday’s 30-7 loss to Galena.
“It will be an interesting game on Friday,” Roman said. “This is crucial game for finishing out the season on a positive note. We just need to focus on what we need to do to be successful against Wooster.”
Carson received good news when running back Bradley Maffei passed all the concussion protocols and will be good to go on Friday. Maffei provided Carson a highlight against Damonte when he broke off a 66-yard touchdown run. Maffei rushed for 116 yards on six carries against Damonte before he had to come out of the game at halftime.
Starting defensive back Gilbert Vasquez, who injured his knee against Damonte, will also be ready to go. But defensive back Mike Hurlbert will be out with a concussion. Jackson Kalicki, Carson’s kicker, will take his place.
Roman also said he’s looking forward to quarterback Johnny Laplante possibly having a breakout game. With Carson facing such a tough schedule, Roman said Laplante really hasn’t had the chance to show what he can do.
Laplante will also start at free safety, freeing up running back Chance Smith to be used more as an offensive weapon along with Maffei. Smith should also see time on defense as well.
With Laplante seeing more time on defense, that means Blake Menzel will continue to see time at quarterback as well. “How it all plays out, we’ll see,” Roman said.
Wooster is a team that runs the football behind an improving offensive line, Roman said. Colts quarterback Jack Papke has thrown for 473 yards and rushed for 128 yards.
Wooster has had a balanced rushing attack with Axel Medina rushing for 230 yards and Jamel Wright running for 275 yards. Donovan Ratfield is Wooster’s leading receiver with 20 catches for 211 yards.
The Colts are led on defense by nose guard Joseph Perez. Roman said he expects Wooster to move Perez around to be disruptive on the defensive line.
“He’s a man-child,” Roman said. “That kid is very impressive. We have to be aware of where he’s at.”