Carson High senior JT Heaton (24) wraps up a Damonte Ranch runner on Friday. Heaton and the Senators open the 5A playoffs this Friday at 6 p.m. against Hug.
Photo by Jeff Mulvihill, Jr. | InstaImage.
Carson High School football will have a home playoff game for the second season in a row on Friday when the Senators welcome the Hug Hawks to town.
The Senators will be heavy favorites after defeating the Hawks, 37-0, in their first meeting this season, which was also played in Carson.
One major difference this time around will be the stakes, as Friday night’s winner will move onto the Class 5A North-Division III semifinals and the loser will have its season come to an end.
The winner Friday night will head to No. 2 Damonte Ranch next week for the regional semifinals.
The Senators — who are coming off a 16-14 loss to the Mustangs — were quick to get back to work this week and Northern Nevada shouldn’t expect them to overlook Hug in the opening round.
“When you play a team a second time, they know you and you know them,” said Carson High head coach Ryan Boshard. “It’s going to come down to who really makes adjustments.”
Boshard says Carson’s eyes will be focused on the Hawks quarterback Jovell Johnson.
“He’s an athlete and can break one at any given point,” said Boshard.
Senior lineman Lebron Thomas (No. 55) is another player who plays both sides of the ball that the Senators will need to be aware of come Friday.
“He makes good plays, as well,” said Boshard.
Tickets for Friday’s contest must be purchased online at www.niaa.com/tickets.
GETTING BACK IN THEIR GROOVE
Carson’s success has come behind its defense and the numbers bear that out.
When the Senators’ offense scores 20 points or more this season, Carson is 6-0.
That is, in large part, because of the defensive tenacity the Senators have played with this season.
In those six wins, Carson’s opponents have averaged 10.6 points per game.
Senior JT Heaton has a stranglehold on the top spot for the most tackles in 5A-III, with 106 through nine games.
The Senators’ Justin Gonzalez (86 tackles) and Johnathan Alvarado (57) are both in the top 10 while Kekoa Mitchell’s 56 tackles ranks him 11th in the league.
Ethan Hendee and Christian Rey are tied for 15th in the league with 45 tackles apiece.
As a unit, the defense finished the regular season with 10 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries.
Heaton leads the team with three fumbles recoveries while Mitchell, Alvarado and Jake Weninger are all tied for the team lead with two interceptions.
The focus for Friday, according to Boshard, is on execution as the Senators aim to be as prepared as possible for a potential rematch with Damonte Ranch.
Kickoff for Friday’s postseason opener is set for 6 p.m.