Galena's defense stifles Carson

Carson High School football rallied to get within three points Friday night of Galena, but the Grizzlies held strong over the fourth quarter in putting together a 35-12 win over the Senators.

Trailing 15-3 out of the half, Carson started the second half with a decent offensive drive into Galena territory.

A powerful 13-yard run from Angelo Macias allowed the Senators to get into field goal range, but a chop block on the following play backed Carson up.

Even still, Carson sent out kicker Drake Hardcastle, as the senior connected on a 55-yard field goal to bring the deficit to 15-6.

After the Senator defense forced a three-and-out, Carson’s special teams capitalized as JT Heaton lunged in on Galena’s punt and blocked it.

Darron Rey was quickly in behind the play as well, scooping the ball up and returning it to the end zone to bring Carson within three, 15-12, with 6:12 to go in the third quarter.

6:17 3Q | Galena 15, Carson 12

Carson’s JT Heaton blocks a Grizzly punt and Darron Rey scoops it up and returns it for a touchdown. Senators miss the PAT. pic.twitter.com/wo0MX7XnC5

— Carter Eckl (@CarterEckl) October 5, 2024

Carson’s defense put together another stop, forcing Galena to punt on its next offensive series, but the Senator offense stalled, going three-and-out.

From that point, the Grizzlies jumped back in control.

Galena took advantage of a short field as Colson Kermode hit Matt Ritenhouse for a 38-yard strike, setting up a 1-yard Kermode touchdown run.

The 21-12 Galena lead ballooned to 29-12 as Carson went three-and-out again on offense, giving the ball right back to the away team.

The Grizzlies next offense series spanned 68 yards over 12 plays, concluding with a Kermode connection to Lane Billau on a 16-yard touchdown pass to the far corner of the end zone.

The Senators final four offensive possessions of the game were all three-and-outs.

“When things go against you, they go against you. … They (Galena) just figured out some wrinkles,” said Carson head coach Ryan Boshard. “I’m proud of our boys. They played their hearts out.”

With time winding down, Galena scored again with eight seconds to play before faking a point after try and throwing an incompletion on a two-point conversion. The Grizzlies final score made it 35-12 with eight seconds remaining in the game.

SLOW START

It took a bit for the Carson offense to get started in the opening half.

The first four Senator drives ended with three interceptions and a punt before they were able to get going.

Galena capitalized on the second interception as Grizzly defensive back Erick Rodriguez grabbed a deflected pass and ran it roughly 25 yards for a pick-six late in the first quarter.

Galena scored the second touchdown of the game, following the Senators’ only punt of the opening half.

The Grizzlies went 80 yards on 13 plays as Ben Imse punched in the second touchdown of the half on a sweep to the far sideline.

A nifty catch and lateral on the ensuing two-point conversion put Galena in front, 15-0, with 6:58 to go in the opening half.

Galena recorded its third interception of the half two plays later, but missed a 38-yard field goal to go further in front.

Carson’s final possession of the half was its most productive, driving 61 yards on 11 plays.

Zack Eaton made a great grab on a pass from Hardcastle for a 23-yard pickup on the drive, which eventually led to a Carson 36-yard field goal from the Senator quarterback.

The Hardcastle field goal cut the deficit to 15-3 with 1:37 left in the half before Galena was comfortable running out the rest of the half.

Ultimately, the Senators finished without an offensive touchdown in the loss.

UP NEXT: Next Friday, Carson (5-3, 2-1 in Class 5A North Div. III league play) will get a bye. 

In two weeks, the Senators travel out to North Valleys (3-5, 1-2) Friday, October 18 at 7 p.m.

AREA SCORES

Douglas 49, McQueen 21

Bishop Manogue 42, Reed 35

Spanish Springs 34, Reno 12

Damonte Ranch 35, North Valleys 0

Truckee 35, Lowry 7

Elko 62, Sparks 21