Abel Carter takes a hand off during practice.
The three-time defending Sierra League champion Carson Senators kick off their 2016 season with a scrimmage against Fallon and Spanish Springs Friday night at the Jim Frank Track & Field Complex.
The varsity scrimmage is set to begin at 6 p.m. after the freshmen and JV squads get action under way at 4:30.
The scrimmage gives coach Blair Roman and his staff its first “real” look at the Senator squad.
Roman said the two biggest area he’s looking forward to seeing is how the offensive line, with four new starters, shapes up, along with the secondary which has new starters in all three positions.
Bryceton Schilling is the only holdover from last year’s starting offensive line, and he’s solid. Senior Zac Frewert is his running mate at the other guard with junior Dallon Shaffer, sophomore Chandler Tierney and senior Bernardo Lopez vying for playing time.
Sheldon Miller, a defensive stalwart in the middle last year, is being counted on to start at offensive tackle. Blaise Bonomo, a late-season defensive call-up as a sophomore last season, will also see some action on the offensive side of the ball. Junior Brandon Macias currently holds down the No. 1 spot at center.
“The biggest thing (on Friday) is to see the offensive line under fire against another team,” Roman said after Tuesday’s practice. “Running stuff in practice day after day (against your own team) isn’t the same.
“Defensively, I feel I know what to expect from our front seven. The No. 1 thing I want to see with our secondary is can you make a play when the ball is in the air. We are going to face some real good throwing teams this year (Desert Mountain, Reed, Galena and Damonte), and we have to see if we’re going in the right direction.”
Spencer Rogers started at corner last year, but he’s been moved to safety to take the spot of the graduated Asa Carter. Greg Wallace was expected to start at one cornerback spot, but a torn meniscus sidelined him for the season. Landon Truesdale, up from JV, inherited that spot. Brandon Gagnon, a reserve at cornerback last year, starts at the other corner.
Wallace’s injury has left a big hole in the offensive backfield.
Abel Carter is back and will see action at tailback and wingback. Tyler Huling starts at one wingback spot. which leaves Rogers and Jake Roman to battle for playing time and to see plenty of offensive action on Friday.
Jace Keema will start under center, but Roman said junior Daniel Morrison will get half the snaps. Morison missed all of last season with a knee injury, and the Senators need to get him up to speed.
NOTES: Since it is a three-way scrimmage, there isn’t expected to be any special teams ... Kyle Rudy (shoulder) will be held out of Friday’s scrimmage. Jordan Aikin (elbow) also won’t play ... The Senators’ first game is Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at home against Desert Mountain of Scottsdale, Ariz.
