Carson 5-1 despite a plethora of injuries

When you look at Carson's 5-1 record, you have to shake your head in disbelief. This a team that has been hit really hard by injuries.

Starting wingback Dylan Sawyers has missed the last two games with a calf injury, defensive back Cole Dufresne has a torn meniscus which put him out of last Friday's game at Damonte Ranch, and he's slated for an MRI on Tuesday. There also are three reserves who are currently out - Tommy Carasella, Lee Rusler and Cory Zacha.

And, to make matters worse, Jacob Myers suffered an injury to his medial collateral ligament against Damonte Ranch which means he'll probably miss at least Friday's homecoming game against Spanish Springs at the very least.

Despite Myers' absence in the second half, teammates Aaron Cowee, Jordan Woodward, Justin Stevens, Levi Carter, Joe Zinda, Brayan Burgos and Keith Collier more than picked up the slack.

"Coach (Pat) Houlihan does a great job with that group," coach Blair Roman said.

It's a group that Houlihan has had to mix and match a great deal this year because of inexperience and performance. With young players comes inconsistency, and that's something that Carson hasn't had to worry about with its group up front since 2008.

Hopefully Houlihan can stabilize that group soon. If Carson has any hopes of going deep into the post-season, the offensive front must get better and play with more consistency.

A few things concern me with Carson as the stretch run begins with a game against Spanish Springs.

• Can the offense pick up the slack if Sawyers is unable to play the rest of the regular season? Judging by Sawyer's comments, I don't see him coming back until the game on Oct. 28. Carson is in line to clinch no worse than a No. 2 seed if it can win out (Spanish Springs, Reno and Galena).

• How can a defense line up continuously wrong nearly an entire series and nobody calls a timeout? The mental stuff needs to be taken care of before the team starts the playoffs. If guys can't remember the formations/alignments maybe they need to see the field less.

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With Bruce Barnes deciding to step down, I think it's even silly that Carson has to even interview anybody else other than veteran assistant coach Carlos Mendeguia for the position.

All you have to do is watch Mendeguia break down tape and explain it to a roomful of teenagers to know that he knows what he's talking about.

It would be a great hire, and there is nobody else within the district that would qualify for the job.

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Local kayaking national champion, 11-year-old Sage Donnelly, is in the top 10 for Sports Illustrated Kid's Athlete of the Year, but could use some help.

Currently there is online unlimited voting until Oct. 17, so people can vote as many times as they want. The top three vote getters move onto finals where the SI staff pick the winner.

To vote go to www.sikids.com/contests/sportskid-of-the-year-2011-vote.