Carson High’s Brayden Welch (88) wraps up a Canyon Springs ball carrier in the 2024 opener, while Nicholas Heald (40), Kekoa Mitchell (6), Christian Rey (21) and Darron Rey (43) all pursue the play. The Senators have a chance to go 3-0 this weekend as they travel to Pocatello, Idaho, to take on Highland High School.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
Carson High School football has a chance to continue bucking trends this Saturday as the Senators will travel to Pocatello, Idaho, to take on Highland High School.
The royal blue and white are 2-0 for the first time since 2012 and a third consecutive win to start the season would be the program’s best start since 2010.
Highland is no slouch, coming off a Class 5A state championship in Idaho last season.
Last week, the Rams bested Legacy, 21-13, taking down Nevada’s 5A-Division III state champions from 2023.
“They are going to be tough. We are talking the defending Idaho state champs in their division,” said Carson High head coach Ryan Boshard. “It’s going to be a tough game.”
BACK ON THE BUS
It’ll be another long road trip for Carson as they make the 11-hour journey northeast. However, the Senators only have two road games left the rest of the season after Saturday’s game.
Offensively, the Rams will run several different sets to mix-and-match looks. Highland managed 241 yards of offense against Legacy, gashing the Longhorns a few times for big plays.
It could be a low-scoring affair, as the Rams defense recorded eight tackles for loss and a sack against Legacy.
“Defensively, they have a couple studs that we have to game plan for,” Boshard said.
Highland will run 4-2-5 defensive front, giving Carson the same looks it has seen in its games this season against Canyon Springs and Spring Creek.
The Senators have been infused with energy thanks to the 2-0 start.
“They are very excited. They were extremely excited when they found out we hadn’t started 2-0 since the 2012 season,” said Boshard.
Boshard had high praise for his offensive line after the win over Spring Creek in its effort to protect quarterback Drake Hardcastle when he dropped back.
Between Joseph Madera, Sergio Villanueva, Ayden Krueger, Adam Avina and Cash Henry, the Senators’ offensive line allowed just one sack to the Spartans last week.
“They held them at bay away from Drake and allowed us to capitalize on two touchdown throws,” said Boshard.
WIN AT SPRING CREEK
Hardcastle finished Friday’s win over Spring Creek 10-of-17 for 117 yards and two touchdowns (to one interception).
On the ground, Carson had seven ballcarriers combine for 96 yards rushing.
Defensively, JT Heaton was a force at linebacker, tallying 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Of course, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries goes a long way, as well.