SPANISH SPRINGS (3-4, 2-3) AT CARSON (5-1, 5-0)
Friday, 7:30 p.m.
OFFENSE: This will be another tough one to call. Spanish Springs averages about 29 a game thanks to quarterback Hunter Fralick, who has thrown for 1,244 yards and 11 scores, and battering ram tailback Conrad Tanyi, who has 1,058 yards and 12 scores. Tanyi really hurt the Senators last year. He's like Conner Peterson of Douglas in the sense that you need to put a lot of hats on him and you can't arm tackle him, he's just too strong. Fralick's favorite target is Vance Lively, who has 25 grabs for 644 yards and six scores. Carson once again will be without Dylan Sawyers, so it will be up to guys like Chance Quilling, quarterback Matt Nolan, Joey Thurman, Brock Pradere and Austin Pacheco to pick up the slack once again and mak big plays. Quilling is coming off a 171-yard total offensive effort against Damonte. Hopefully the offensive line can play like it did late in the game and hopefully the Senators can keep from putting the ball on the ground. If Carson loses three fumbles this week, the five-game win streak in league will be history. Nolan had a fantastic day throwing the ball against Damonte, and Carson could sure use another night like that.
Edge: Spanish Springs
DEFENSE: The Cougars are led by linebackers Clay Bagwell and Jesse Berry, who average 10 and 5 tackles, respectively. The Cougars are giving up more than 30 a game which is whey they are under .500 entering the game. Carson's defense played three solid quartrs against Damonte Ranch, but it must play a full 48 minutes on Friday. Linebacker Logan Peternell is averaging nearly 13 stops a game, while Patrick Hesse and Quilling are at 10. Pacheco is averaging nearly seven stops and Patrick Cooke 6.3.
Edge: Carson
SPECIAL TEAMS: Carson's kick-off coverage team hasn't had to work too much because of Pacheco's strong leg. He averages around 38 a kick on punts. Pacheco is averaging 54 yards per kick-off, and he's usually good for two or three touchbacks per game. It would be good to see Carson's kick returners step up. Thurman had a nice return on Damonte's free kick in the second half last week.
Edge Carson
PREDICTION: I expect another very close contest, and as I said before, the Senators can't have a bad third quarter. Tanyi will get his yards, but Carson just can't let him run wild. Spanish Springs is a very balanced team.
CARSON 27, SPANISH SPRINGS 23
