Highland outlasts Carson football

Carson High’s first points of the contest came with 10:50 to play in the fourth quarter Saturday in Pocatello, Idaho, but the Senators’ score evened the contest in the final period.

Drake Hardcastle threw a 13-yard pass over the middle to Zack Eaton for a touchdown, completing a 65-yard drive and knotting the contest at 7-7.

However, the Rams were able to grab two interceptions on the Senators’ next two possessions and turn them into points, pulling out a 22-7 win.

Carson won’t start the season 3-0, which would’ve been the program’s longest unbeaten streak to begin a season since 2010, but it’s another quality result for a Senator team that is continuing to believe in itself.

Last season, Highland went 11-1 and won Idaho’s state title in the largest classification in the state.

"I'm really happy with the way the team played. That's a really good team we just played," said Carson High head coach Ryan Boshard. "We held our own. I am extremely proud of the way our defense played and our offense played."

DEFENSE CONTINUES TO LOOK SHARP

Carson’s defense once again put up a strong showing.

Highland punted on its first possession of the second half, but the Senators were able to force another turnover on the Rams’ second chance with the ball.

On fourth-and-inches, Highland tried a quarterback sneak, but Carson was able to punch the ball loose and record a takeaway.

It was the 12^th turnover recorded by Carson in its first three games of the season.

"They (our defense) came to play. ... Our defense was pretty on point," said Boshard. "I am extremely pleased with our defense and their hustle and their tenacity. We are not always the biggest, but we have heart."

The Senators were able to capitalize on the defensive takeaway with their only touchdown of the afternoon.

Another defensive stop forced a Highland punt, but the Rams defense was also able to sniff out a pair of takeaways late.

The first interception gave Highland a short field at Carson’s 25 while the second was returned for a touchdown, giving the Rams a 22-7 edge late in the fourth quarter.

"We were really being pushed late in the fourth quarter. ... We really did a good job of securing the ball in this game," Boshard said. 

The Senator head coach mentioned how pleased he was with his offensive line's performance as well. 

UP NEXT: After two weeks on the road, Carson (2-1) will get play on its home turf Friday evening against McQueen (2-1) at 7 p.m. The Lancers best Foothill (Sacramento, Calif.), 47-14, yesterday after scoring 47 unanswered points.