Carson defensive back Connor Pradere gets a pick-six during a scrimmage against the Reno Huskies Saturday at CHS.
One of the things Carson football coach Blair Roman wanted to see Saturday was crisp offensive execution.
When the 90-minute scrimmage, which included 11-on-11, punting, PATs and goal line situations ended, Roman was for the most part pleased with what he saw.
“I’d have to have film to look at, but I’d say a B-minus,” he said. “There were a couple of little things (we didn’t do) that make a difference against a good defense. We’ll get it cleaned up.
“These were two really physical teams getting after each other. It was a good scrimmage for us.”
Reno scored twice, both times on touchdown passes. Carson’s only score came from sophomore running back Abel Carter, who took it in from 18 yards out.
Roman held starter Joe Nelson out of the scrimmage, electing to go with back-up Jace Keema the entire way. Keema rushed four times for 13 yards and went 2-for-5 passing for 25 yards, including a 21-yarder to reserve wingback/fullback Elijah Fajayan.
“The biggest thing that impressed me with Jace was his confidence and poise,” Roman said. “We kept it pretty simple today. There was really only one mistake he made, and that came on a running play when he turned the wrong way. I saw what I needed to see.”
Keema’s best passes were ones that were incomplete. He barely missed hooking up with tight end Ian Schulz on a nice seam route.
The other was a deep bll to the right which Connor Pradere got a hand on only to see the Reno defender knock it away.
Two other bright spots were sophomore runing back Abel Carter and Fajayan.
Carter rushed for 37 yards, nearly half of that coming on his scoring run. Fajayan, unofficially accounted for 69 yards of total offense.
“Elijah looked really good,” Roman said. “He had a great scrimmage. he ran really hard.”
Carson’s defense got pushed around at times, but did force three turnovers.
Asa Carter caused and recovered a fumble on Reno’s fourth offensive snap.
“I thought Asa looked good,” Roman said. “He flowed to the ball well. He also had a couple of good runs.”
The two interceptions came on back-to-back plays against Reno’s third offense. Pradere grabbed the first one, and Cole McDannald had the second.
“Connor had a great read on that one,” Roman said. “It was an impressive interception.”
NOTES: Carson opens its season next Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Reed Raiders, who won last year’s match-up between the teams in the regional finals at Bishop Manogue ... Ian Schulz tweaked his ankle, but left the field under his own power and is going to play against Reed ... Johnny Barahona kicked a 32-yard FG in the special teams portion of the scrimmage.
