Carson, Dayton defenses fare well in scrimmages

Carson High made its 2009 football debut Saturday morning and coach Blair Roman was pleased by what he saw in the 90-minute scrimmage against North Valleys.

Excluding pre-determined goalline situations, Carson scored five times compared to just one for North Valleys.

"I'm pleased," Roman said. "I wasn't happy with the way we warmed up. I think they got the message. Once we started to click, we looked good. It was great to face a spread offense and defend that. I thought we stopped the run real well, and other than one breakdown (46-yard scoring play) our pass defense was good."

The defense allowed only 104 yards unofficially and forced the Panthers into three turnovers, two of which resulted in Carson scores. Tyler Silva returned a fumble for a score and Connor Beattie returned an interception 42 yards for a score. Colby Blueberg also picked off a pass for the Senators.

Official stats are kept for scrimmages.

Roman also praised the defensive work of Ty Collins, Junior Valladares and Luke Carter.

The offense racked up 274 yards, as Mark Sinnott (6-48), Luke Carter (7-71) and Robert Figueroa (4-22) all ran well. Figueroa had an 8-yard scoring run on the Senators' last 10-play series.

Quarterback Blake Plattsmier completed 4-of-6 passes for 86 yards and two scores. He and Levi Bloxton teamed up on a 27-yard shovel pass on the first drive of the scrimmage, and Ean Witter caught a 9-yarder later on the Senators' next-to-last drive.

"I thought we executed well," Roman said. "Something I took away from today as a coach is that we're ready to play four quarters. That's a credit to the kids and how hard they work. As the scrimmage went on we continued to perform at a high level.

Dayton defense swarms: A lot of focus has been put on the Dayton offense, with changes to the scheme (Pistol), a quarterback battle and three returning offensive linemen. But it was the defense that stole the show Saturday in the Dust Devils' scrimmage at Wooster.

Dayton coach Rick Walker couldn't stop boasting about the defense.

"We started off on defense and they moved the ball on us a little bit," Walker said. "But after that, they just pretty much just shut them down. Kids were swarming to the ball.

"I thought we had great play from our inside linebackers, Ricky Bodine and Sean DeRubertise. And I thought our secondary was real solid."

Official stats weren't kept for the game, but Walker said the Colts reached the end zone three times in 30-40 plays. One of those came during a simulated goal line situation.

Offensively, Kyle Firestone set the tone from the running back position. Walker said he averaged 6 yards a carry.

Walker also said that Firestone's day was easier with Danny Foster, Mike Perkins, Bryce Rivera, Dusty Smith and Kelly Elloyan clearing the way on the offensive line.

Although Wooster may not be the best measuring stick after posting a 1-9 record last season, Walker thought the team was ahead of where it has been in recent years.

"We started off slow and I was worried about them kind of folding, but we did the exact the opposite; did what you want do," Walker said. "We struggled a little bit, but fought through it and I thought we improved throughout the whole day."