Carson quarterback Jace Keema dives for an extra few yards during Friday's game against Galena.
Historically, two wins in the five-team Sierra League is enough to make the post-season.
The Carson Senators, fresh off an easy 40-13 win over Galena, will be looking to go 2-0 in league when they visit the league’s youngest team, the Bishop Manogue Miners, Friday at 7 p.m.
Manogue has 31 players on its roster, and 16 are sophomores up from the undefeated freshmen team last season.
“They are remarkably improved from the last two or three years,” Carson coach Blair Roman said before Tuesday’s practice. “They are a young team so it’s been trial by fire. Overall, their talent is impressive on both sides of the ball. Their overall team speed is much better than before.”
Manogue’s two area wins came against North Valleys (28-14) and Hug (18-6), the cellar dwellars of the High Desert League. The Miners were knocked off 23-6 by McQueen and 62-27 by Reed and 32-28 by Douglas in their Sierra League opener.
Not surprisingly, sophomores have carried a big load for the Miners starting with quarterback Lincoln Hauk, who has completed 58 percent of his passes for 784 yards and four scores. Hauk has also run for 242 yards and seven scores, as he’s a threat in the red zone.
“They have a lot of quarterback designed runs,” Roman said. “He reminds me a lot of Jace (Keema) physically. He’s 5-11 and 185. He is physical and runs hard. He has speed on the outside (Daunte Garrett, 14 catches, 409 yards). They try to keep it simple and then try to hurt you with a big play now and then.”
Sophomore Dontell Jackson leads the ground game with 312 yards and five scores while junior Anthony Reviglio has 306 yards and four scores on 54 carries. The Miners average a respectable 185 yards a game on the ground.
Defensively, sophomores Preston Helu and Gilberto Aguilera have 53 tackles apiece. The Miners can pressure the passer as their 16 sacks would indicate. One would expect that pressure to be neutralized if Carson can control the ball on the ground with Abel Carter, Keema and Spencer Rogers. Carter has an area-leading 16 scores on the ground with 1,148 yards.
WHERE’S THE PRESSURE?: Halfway through the season, Carson High’s defense has registered an unimpressive one sack.
Part of it is the scheme, and part of it is the outside guys aren’t getting it done.
In Carson’s scheme, defensive ends still must play run first even in obvious passing situations.
“Last week against Galena we didn’t get any sacks, but we forced them into a lot of quick throws,” Roman said. “I felt like we got some good pressure up the middle with Sheldon (Miller) and Blaise (Bonomo). We are working hard with the edge rushers.”
Carson gave up 107 yards on the ground, as Derek Kline was just 11 for 23.
TURNOVER/TAKEAWAY NUMBERS: Through six games, Carson is plus-1 in the takeaway-turnovers category.
The Senators have turned the ball over eight times (five interceptions and three fumbles) and forced nine turnovers (five interceptions and four fumbles).
Four of Jace Keema’s five interceptions came in the first two games of the season. Keema has thrown just one interception in the last four games.
“Teams are throwing a lot of quick passes which makes it tough to get them (sacks or interceptions),” Roman said.
SMALL GAINERS INTO BIG GAINS: Roman is concerned with his team’s ability to limit yardage after catches. Galena’s first score last week came when cornerback Landon Truesdale was going for a strip and didn’t secure the receiver. The play went for a 59-yard score at the tail end of the first half.
“We’ve turned some short passes into big gains; at least one every game.” Roman said. “We are either missing the tackle or taking a bad angle (to the receiver).”
INJURY REPORT: The Senators are probably the healthiest they have been since the season started.
Running back Kellen McDermott (ankle) and linebacker Connor Quilling (shoulder) are both practicing, but how much action either of them sees is still up in the air. McDermot has gained 105 yards in spot duty, averaging 7 yards a carry.
Quilling has 13 tackles in four games.
SERIES NUMBERS: Since 2010, Carson has dominated the series, winning six of the last seven match-ups, including one playoff win in 2011. The Senators have a 238-119 advantage in points. Carson has won three straight since a 2012 loss (21-14).
