Carson High’s Lucas Gonzales (18) and Mack Chambers (40) celebrate Chambers’ 30-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter of the Senators’ 48-0 shutout win over Galena.
Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage
The Senators will be riding high into Friday night after one of the more surprising performances of the last weekend.
A 48-point outburst while posting a shutout against Galena on the Senators’ home turf, Carson ups the ante this week.
The Senators are 1-1 through the first several weeks of the season and averaging 277 yards per game on offense thus far.
This past spring, Carson managed 124 yards of offense against the Raiders in a 43-7 loss.
It may feel early in the season, but through four weeks the Senators have found a little mojo.
Raiders present toughest challenge so far
Reed will be missing its two biggest damage-doers from the spring meeting, due to graduation.
Chance Bustillos went for 161 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in the spring, while fellow senior receiver Thomas Johnson hauled in seven receptions for 125 yards and two scores.
The Raiders will not be without talent though, posting a 33-26 win over Damonte Ranch last Friday.
Starting quarterback Armaan Bajwa (No. 2) has a 60 percent completion percentage for 379 yards with four touchdowns in two games this year for the Raiders.
Bajwa has also shown to be the Raiders’ biggest threat on the ground too, with a team-best 158 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Through two games, Bajwa’s most productive target through the air has been Elijah Acklin (No. 10).
Acklin has 153 yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches so far this season.
Adam McDonald (No. 23) is another receiver fans should expect to see thrown to over the course of the evening.
The Raiders are battle tested early this season and already have two league games under their belt.
Along with last week’s win over Damonte Ranch, Reed fell to Bishop Manogue 43-21 to open their season.
Defensively, Acklin and Chris Negrete (No. 52) are the Raiders’ leading tacklers through two games.
Protecting the rock
It’s not a secret to any player or fan that protecting the football is a necessity.
The Senators have done that so far this season with just two turnovers to date.
Last spring, the Raiders forced and recovered two fumbles to go along with three sacks over the evening.
Carson’s offensive line had some early troubles protecting quarterback Vinny Ferretti against Reno, but followed up by not allowing a sack or a tackle for loss against Galena.
The Senators could find some success; if that’s a recipe they can repeat on the road Friday.
However, the Raiders haven’t lost a home game since October 18, 2019.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
