Carson receiver Connor Pradere hauls in a pass to set up a touchdown against the Reed Raiders Saturday night in Reno.
In an effort to get their best athletes on the field more often, the Carson Senators are going to make a couple of subtle changes on both sides of the ball when they visit McQueen at 7 p.m. Friday night in a football non conference game.
The first change is standout senior wide receiver Connor Pradere could see much more action on defense at both free and strong safety.
Carson’s secondary gave up more than 360 yards through the air and four long scores in the 44-27 season-opening loss to Reed last week at the University of Nevada.
“We’ve got to rep Connor Pradere more on defense,” said Steve Dilley, Carson’s defensive coordinator. “He played well last game. He would start if it wasn’t for Asa (Carter). He could start for any team in the league. You will see him at safety and strong safety.”
“We wanted Connor to focus on wide receiver last year,” head coach Blair Roman said. “Connor played very well in the second half on Saturday.”
Sophomore Abel Carter, who started at strong safety, fell down on one of the long TD passes and then got caught looking into the backfield on another long throw.
“You have to remember, a year ago, Abel was playing freshman football,” Dilley said. “He is going to be a fantastic player for us before he is through here. The mistakes that we made as a secondary we can fix.”
Dilley said he could possibly platoon Pradere and Abel Carter, using Pradere more on passing situations and using the younger Carter on running downs.
“If we need to have eight in the box, that plays to Abel’s strength,” Roman said.
The other change, and judging by Tuesday’s practice it’s going to pay dividends, is getting cornerback Caulin Bartley playing time at wide receiver. Bartley made several nice grabs in practice.
“We are so thin at wide receiver,” Roman said. “Gage (Gunzberg) is our second option at wide receiver (behind Pradere), but Bartley will get work there.”
INJURY UPDATE
Ian Schulz figures to miss the game with a sprained ankle suffered in the Reed game, and guard Eddie Duarte is day-to-day after taking a helmet to the side of the knee.
Justin Thompson figures to start at tight end with Schulz out.
Roman said Austin Ackerman, who normally splits time with Corey Jasper at center, is going to play full time at guard.
THE WORD ON MCQUEEN
Roman said McQueen has changed its scheme a bit from last year.
“They are more of an up-tempo team (this year),” Roman said. “Their quarterback (Jeremiah Lesniak) concerns us. He’s very athletic. I thought for the first game they ran the ball well. They have a couple of guys who can get out on the perimeter, and they have a couple of tough guys who can run inside.”
It will be a good test for the Senators, who will still be without starting defensive tackle Sheldon Miller. He will return next week against North Valleys.
