Carson High’s Kekoa Mitchell (6) strips the ball from a Galena player earlier this season. Mitchell has two interceptions, including one last week that helped the Senators prevail 27-21 over North Valleys.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
No coach will ever admit to looking past anyone, but Thursday’s matchup between Carson High School football and Damonte Ranch likely won’t be the last this season.
The two sides are locked into the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds for the Class 5A North-Division III playoffs, leaving the winner Thursday as the No. 2 seed and the loser as the No. 3.
Whoever loses will open the postseason at home against either Hug or Wooster, but both sides won their first meeting with the Hawks and Colts convincingly.
It boils down to Thursday’s game deciding who will have home field advantage should the two sides run into each other again in a Division III semifinal.
“A bye and potential home field advantage will be huge,” said Carson head coach Ryan Boshard.
A DECADE IN THE MAKING
Last Friday, Carson picked up a 27-21 win over North Valleys, giving the Senators six wins on the year and clinching a winning record.
It’s the most wins — and the first winning record — the program has had in a single season since 2015.
The success the Senators have found this season can be credited to a few areas, but mainly the team’s defense has been steadfast all fall.
Kekoa Mitchell recorded a huge interception for Carson on Friday that allowed the Senators to come away with the win over the Panthers.
Mitchell is tied for the team lead with two interceptions.
“It was a big turning point in the game for us,” said Boshard. “He has transformed himself from last season. He was a big downhill run stopper. … He’s really worked his craft and I am proud of that kid.”
Mitchell has also recorded 49 tackles this fall.
On offense last week, Carson managed just 128 yards, but the Senator head coach was pleased with the outcome given some of the conditions.
“Our offensive line in the loose footing did their job. The field wasn’t in the best shape because of the rain and the two games prior. … We didn’t have the best offensive output, but when we needed it, we got it,” said Boshard.
Angelo Macias had a pair of rushing touchdowns, including the game-winner inside of the final 20 seconds of regulation.
Christian Rey scored his ninth rushing touchdown of the season in the win.
Three Carson players recorded double-digit tackles on defense — JT Heaton (14), Justin Gonzalez (14) and Johnathan Alvarado (10).
MUSTANG HORSEPOWER
Damonte Ranch’s offense is centered around running back Kobe Craig (No. 23), who leads the division in rushing yards this season with 1,138. He also had found the end zone 12 times.
“If you look off the stats, their running back is their majority threat. But you have to look at what’s getting that running back to that. Their offensive line does a great job of getting ahold of blocks and giving him a chance to spring,” said Boshard. “Their offensive line across the board is pretty dang good. They all work in unison.”
On defense, the Mustangs aren’t too keen on disguising their plan of attack.
They just want to punch teams in the mouth.
“What you see is what you get with them,” said Boshard. “They’ve got the big three lineman they put down in there and allow their linebackers to be free.”
Boshard said Carson will have to make sure to keep an eye on Zach Scott (No. 45) and Ronin Black (No. 52).
Scott is second on the team in tackles for loss with nine, trailing only Carsen Galvin (No. 10).
Protecting the football will once again be a big emphasis for Carson as the Mustangs are averaging more than a turnover a game from their defense.