SERTOMA: Six Carson players suit up for last high school game

Tonight's annual Sertoma Football Classic means different things to the six Carson High players selected to the game.

For guard Matt Cooper, running back Connor Beattie and cornerback Gabe Pongasi, the game represents a continuation of their football careers. All three will be playing next season at the junior college level. Cooper is headed to Butte College, the alma mater of Carson High coach Blair Roman, while Pongasi and Beattie will play at Yuba College.

For quarterback Trey Jensen, linebacker Tyler Collins and center Danny Gall it is probably the last competitive football game they will ever play.

Collins, who is headed to Orgeon State, and Gall, who is headed to Boise State, are going to become full-time students. Jensen is attending Treasure Valley Community College where he'll play basketball and run track.

So there are obviously different feelings for different people heading into the annual Silver-Blue clash which kicks off at 7 p.m. today at University of Nevada's Mackay Stadium. Admission is $10 for anybody older than 5 years of age.

"It's sad," Gall said before Tuesday's practice at Carson High. "I'm excited to be out here. I've been wanting to play in this game ever since I was a sophomore, and Jeff Butler made the team. This is a big deal for me."

Gall said he made the decision not to continue football after he suffered a broken bone during the basketball season.

"I was done after that," said Gall, who opted for Boise State because UNR didn't have a kinesiology major. "I hoped all year that I was going to get to play in the Sertoma game. It's a great way to end my career."

Collins, who will major in biology, admits he will miss the sport, but hinted he might opt for flag football at OSU if he has the time.

"I was hoping I'd get another chance to play before I left (for college)," said Collins, who had 99 tackles this season. "I was pretty sore after that first practice on Monday. I'm not in shape like I was during the season.

"I'll be sad after the game. I'm happy I got another week."

Collins said he got a little taste of what it's like not to play after seeing his junior teammates go through spring ball in late May, early June.

Jensen hasn't totally written off his football career, but if he goes on his Mormon mission after one year at Treasure Valley it's likely he may decide just to stay with basketball and track. Treasure Valley doesn't field a football team.

Jensen, who threw for 1,267 yards and nine touchdowns, was a member of Carson's state-qualifying relay team along with Pongasi. Treasure Valley also is the alma mater of his dad, Gary, who is Carson's assistant JV basketball coach. Jensen averaged about 7 points a game this year for Bruce Barnes' squad.

"It's a little end and a little beginning," Jensen said. "There are a couple of smaller schools, Dickinson State and Puget Sound, that recruited me for football. They told me when I come back from my mission if I was interested in playing to give them a call.

"I think I have a good chance to play at Treasure Valley. I went up there and went to an open gym and played with some of their players."

Jensen said there were some opportunities to play further away, but that he wanted to stay close to home for at least a couple of more years. He said he's going to live with his grandparents while he's at Treasure Valley.

Cooper, an all-conference player last season, is playing just on the offensive side of the ball tonight which is his preference.

"I love playing offense," Cooper said. "Offense is probably my best (side of the ball).

"This game is a chance to go out and have some fun. It's a chance to make friends with guys you played against during the season."

Cooper is leaving for Butte this weekend. He said that the college has already been working in the weight room and doing some conditioning.

"They said I could play in the game, but the sooner I get there the better," Cooper said. "They have a good reputation of getting scholarships for their players. They have a great program. Coach (Blair) definitely helped me out."

Pongasi and Beattie have been friends for quite a while, and they have been looking at going away to college together. Pongasi said a lot of the decision came down to money.

"It's more expensive in Monterey," Pongasi said.

Beattie said that going away to school with a friend would help with the adjustment. He said many former classmates have already come back to the area after going to school out of state.

Beattie, who rushed for 608 yards and seven scores, is expected to play mostly running back tonight. However, when he gets to Yuba he'll most likely be on the other side of the ball.

"The coach said he would give me a shot at running back," Beattie said. "He talked about free safety and strong safety. I'm probably undersized to play linebacker in the college game, but you never know."

Pongasi, an all-league performer last fall, had 41 tackles and two interceptions.

"I'm pretty happy (at being selected)," Pongasi said. "I was hoping to play in the game ever since I was a sophomore."

Pongasi said the Yuba coach told him he would play cornerback or safety. He said the biggest difference would be reading more of the field at safety and also being expected to be more of a run supporter.

SERTOMA FOOTBALL CLASSIC

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

Where: University of Nevada

Admission: $10