Carson High scrimmage: Despite missing players, Roman finds positives in Senators

Carson High wasn't anywhere near full strength when it took the field for its scrimmage against McQueen on Saturday.

Two-time all-4A running back Dylan Sawyers didn't even dress, wide receivers Austin Pacheco (family wedding) and Brock Pradere (injury) didn't see action and Aaron Cowee and Joe Zenda, two new starting offensive linemen, were injured and didn't play.

Despite the absences, Carson coach Blair Roman still saw some positives on a day where the offense had just one serious scoring threat while McQueen scored two long touchdowns, a 60-yard pass and a 48-yard run.

"That's the great thing about scrimmaging McQueen," Roman said. "If you have a hole they are going to find it.

"There were some positives that we can take away from it. I thought both quarterbacks performed well. We had too many dropped balls that killed some of our drives. If we can clean that up it will help with the execution."

Both quarterbacks demonstrated their strengths.

Chance Quilling, who took most of the snaps with the first unit, unofficially completed 6 of 10 passes for 47 yards. He had two passes dropped, one of which would have gone for big yardage.

Matt Nolan, who started on the JV squad last season, was just 1 for 4 passing for 11 yards, but led the team in rushing with 51 yards on eight carries. He showed some quick feet and the ability to get into the open field.

The best running back was Jacob McClelland, who carried eight times for 49 yards but fumbled in the red zone in the waning moments of the scrimmage. He showed the ability to break tackles and get into the open field a couple of times.

The offensive line is still the biggest question mark entering the season, but Roman thought the group on Saturday fared well.

"That was kind of a patchwork front," Roman said. "A couple of guys we put out there hadn't gotten that many reps. We have some young guys out there and a lot of room to grow."

The best drive came from the second unit as McClelland ripped off an 18-yard gain and Nolan had a 32-yard scramble down to the McQueen 8. Carson lost the ball two plays later.

Save for the two long scores, Roman felt the defense played pretty well. The unit gave up some yardage, but was able to step up and make stops when needed.

"These scrimmages are a little different (then a game) because we play all four down from scrimmage (with no punts)," Roman said. "That puts a little more pressure on the defenses.

"I thought Cole (Dufresne) made some nice plays in space. Logan (Peternell) was a bright spot."

Peternell had a nice day, intercepting a pass and deflecting another. Sage Smith also had an interception and 18-yard return. The defense also recovered a fumble.

Patrick Cooke made several nice stops as did Matt DeMars and Tommy Carasella. Cooke is a transfer from New Mexico. Carasella saw some action on varsity a year ago.

Roman & Co. will now have two weeks to get ready for Highland High of Pocatello, Idaho, on Sept. 3.

"We could have had another scrimmage next weekend, but I didn't want that," Roman said. "Two weeks of practice will do us good."

NOTES: Roman expects Pradere, Sawyers, Cowee and Zenda to play in the season opener ... Dufresne ran in Sawyers' spot on offense ... The first-team defense included both quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see if Roman continues to do that.