Carson to host North Valleys in playoff opener

Carson High will get its second look of the season at North Valleys on Friday night in the first round of the 4A regional football playoffs.

Carson (8-2 overall) easily handled North Valleys in a preseason scrimmage, and Senators' head coach Blair Roman said that the Panthers (6-3) are much improved.

Roman said his secondary of Josh Peacock, Colby Blueberg and Dylan Sawyers will be tested by North Valleys quarterback Tim Herman, who passed for 1.958 yards and nine scores.

"Their quarterback has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards," Roman said. "They will throw it a lot. I expect they will throw 40 to 50 times against us."

Carson's ability to get off to fast starts has forced many of its opponents to pass more than they would like.

Carson hasn't hosted a playoff game since the late 1990s, and it will be interesting to see how the team reacts. Roman brought the Senators from 3-7 to 8-2 and a league title in two years.

"We'll see (if they are nervous)," Roman said. "One of the ways I'm approaching things is that we're 0-0. If we win we'll be 1-0 and get to host another game. If we lose, we'll be 0-1 and out of the playoffs. Our goal is to advance as far as we can.

"It's not that they didn't try to buy in last year; the seniors of 2008 laid a good foundation. The group this year took it to the level where it needed to be."

Roman said that wide receiver/kicker Ean Witter, two-way line standout Justin Barlow and defensive end Ryan Hoskins are nursing some bumps and bruises and are day-to-day.

MCQUEEN AT DOUGLAS

Both teams are coming off losses. Douglas was blasted by Carson 34-6 and the defending state champion Lancers lost to Spanish Springs 23-14.

The Lancers are multi-dimensional. Quarterback Joey Sorgani threw for 1,367 yards and 12 TDs, while Lucas Fejer rushed for 800 yards and 10 scores. Nick Shepherd also had 10 rushing TDs.

Douglas' two-pronged attack is led by running back Johnny Pollack (1,004 yards rushing, 11 TDs) and quarterback Zach Williams (819 yards, 7 TDs).

MANOGUE AT REED

No doubt the Miners are smarting after falling from a tie for first down to fourth following Thursday's 35-28 loss to Galena. Reed ended its regular season with a 34-14 win over North Valleys.

Running back Christian Thompson has gained 1,113 yards and six scores, and quarterback Tyler Pine has thrown for 2.055 yards and 24 TDs. Aaron Greenblat is arguably the best receiver in Northern Nevada with 64 catches for 1,146 yards and nine scores.

Zach McElroy led the Miners' passing with 1,066 yards and four scores, while Phillip Brahler had nearly 400 yards rushing prior to last week's game. Ricky McDonald and Gary Albright lead the Miners' defense.

GALENA AT S. SPRINGS

The Cougars have vastly improved since their season-opening loss against Carson. The Cougars are at their best when they can run the ball, as Dominic Smith gained 764 yards and scored five TDs.

Galena can move the ball on the ground and through the air. Prior to last week, quarterback Beau Bickel passed for 1.323 yards and 17 scores, and he also rushed for 358 yards and seven scores.

FIRST-ROUND GAMES

Galena at Spanish Springs

Bishop Manogue at Reed

McQueen at Douglas

North Valleys at Carson

All games Friday at 7 p.m.