SOCCER: The Comstock Shootout is back

During the next two weekends, 6,000 soccer lovers will take over Carson City and the Edmonds Sports Complex.

The 18th annual Comstock Shootout returns this weekend with the girls tournament and continues next weekend with the boys tournament.

Joe Briggs, one of the volunteer directors of the nonprofit Comstock Sports Organization, said 86 girls teams have registered and 78 boys teams are signed up.

"This is the premier tournament for a large number of teams," Briggs said. "As soon as the tournament is over teams start making plans for next year."

Briggs said teams come from Northern California, Idaho and this year they have a lot of Bay Area teams. All teams are affiliated with the American Youth Soccer Organization, U.S. Youth Soccer and U.S. Club Soccer will compete. The tournament accommodates a wide variety of skills ranging from the under-10 divisions through under-19.

Briggs said the fact that tournament is so highly competitive, that it is more for recreational teams and players helps draw teams to the shootout.

"Another reason it is so successful is that is at one facility," Briggs said. "That makes it so much more enjoyable."

Briggs said the volunteers from the Shootout committee, the Carson City teams along with the recreation division and the Carson City Parks & Recreation Department help make the tournament run smoothly, and that's not easy with 3,000 people.

Having that many people in the city each weekend, brings in an estimated $3 million to the community.

Play begins at 8 a.m. Saturday morning with the last games starting at 5:20 p.m. Championship games begin at 1 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to check out the action.

Briggs, who has helped run the tournament for the six years, will serve as director for the girls tournament, while former Douglas High coach Fred Schmidt will direct the boys tournament.

"I enjoy it," Briggs said, when asked why he stays involved. "My son's away in college, and this keeps me active."

Briggs' son, Brandon, a former Carson High standout is now a goalie on Boston University's team.