Carson High School football celebrates the game-winning extra point from kicker Drake Hardcastle (4) in overtime to beat North Valleys, 25-24, on Senior Night.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
The Senators Senior Night looked like it might get spoiled Friday.
Midway through the third quarter, North Valleys had an 18-3 advantage and had just marched 55 yards in a span of five plays for six points.
Carson shifted its tune, though, and outscored the Panthers 22-6 over the final quarter and a half, notching a 25-24 win in overtime.
Angelo Macias ran in the game-tying score in OT and quarterback Drake Hardcastle drilled the PAT to finish it.
The thrill of excitement after a tough season was undeniable as the Carson sideline erupted after the game-winning extra point.
“I tried to have a talk with our running backs and our offensive line. ‘This is Senior Night and we got to step it up,’ and we did,” said Carson running back Christian Rey.
There were several huge moments over the final two quarters of play in Carson’s comeback win.
FINAL | Carson 25, North Valleys 24
Angelo Macias scores an 11-yard touchdown and the Senators drain the game-winning PAT.
Impressive comeback from Carson after trailing 18-3 in the middle of the 3Q. pic.twitter.com/WCCPZwV0nQ
Weninger saves the day
Junior Jake Weninger has been the Senators’ spark at various points this season.
With Carson trailing 18-10, it was the speed of blue and white’s No. 20 that allowed the Senators to even mount their comeback.
North Valleys led 18-10 after Carson missed a 49-yard field goal.
On a second-and-12, the Panthers broke loose on an end around as Jason Liddicoat broke free.
However, it was the quickest member of Carson’s defensive 11 that chased down Liddicoat and tackled him at the 13, saving a would-be touchdown.
Carson went on to stop the Panthers on fourth-and-goal at their own 4.
“I just knew that if he went in there we probably wouldn’t win the game. I need to make a save,” said Weninger. “I knew I was faster than him. No one is really faster than me.”
Ground and pound
Carson’s lone score in the opening half was a field goal.
In the second half, the Senators got their ground game rolling.
Hug opened up its 18-3 lead with 8:29 left in the third quarter, but Carson responded immediately.
On the first play of the drive, Rey broke off a 29-yard scamper on a slow developing play. He got an additional 15 yards courtesy of a Panther facemask.
Angelo Macias ended the drive with a four-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal, making it 18-10 North Valleys.
Carson blocked a punt, which set up a Carson 49-yard field goal try, but the Senators couldn’t close the gap.
It came down to the Senator’s final drive to decide Friday night’s contest.
Starting from their own 4 after Weninger’s game-saving tackle, Rey got loose again for a 62-yard run down the Senator sideline.
Carson continued to muscle its way forward as time ticked off the clock.
A fumble nearly cost the Senators, but the ball rolled out of bounds.
A false start on third-and-goal from the 1 could’ve been another backbreaker for Carson, but it wasn’t.
On fourth and goal, Rey punched in the score with 20 seconds remaining in regulation.
Forced to go for two to tie, Carson went back to Rey who needed every ounce of strength to power his way to the goal line.
“I’m so proud. We just continue to fight and that’s what keeps our team alive,” Weninger said. “Our sideline and our team really stepped it up.”
0:15 4Q | Carson 18, North Valleys 18
Senators get a 1-yard touchdown run from Christian Rey. pic.twitter.com/E5pRDewPZb
Two-point stand
Coming into overtime, Carson had stuffed two two-point conversion attempts from North Valleys.
The Panthers took possession first in OT.
NV needed two plays for a touchdown pass from Mikole Almond to Benjahmin Ward, before attempting another two-point try.
Once again, the Senator defense snuffed it out, halting the Panthers yards short of the goal line.
UP NEXT: Carson’s win locks the Senators into the No. 4 seed in Northern Class 5A Div. III. That means the Senators will get to host a playoff home game against the No. 5 seed. Hug and North Valleys will play next Friday to determine the fifth and sixth seeds.
Next Friday, Carson will head south for The Rivalry against Douglas.
Douglas, Wooster postponed
Douglas High School football had its homecoming game take a different turn as electrical issues caused the lights to go out in warmups.
Douglas administrators weren’t sure they would have power back to the field by morning, moving the Tiger-Colt game to Wooster High School.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.
Area scores
Douglas-Wooster, PPD to Saturday at 11 a.m
Reed 34, Damonte Ranch 7
Spanish Springs 20, McQueen 14
Galena 42, Hug 0
Elko 13, Fallon 8
Bishop Manogue 37, Reno 7
Spring Creek 21, Fernley 17