Carson football agrees to move home opener to University of Nevada

Carson and Reed high schools have agreed to move their season-opening nonleague football game to the University of Nevada’s Mackay Stadium.

Originally the game was scheduled for Aug. 28 at Carson at 7 p.m. The teams will now play the 29th at 7 p.m. Lassen and Galena will play at 4 p.m.

Talks had been going on for some time, and Carson coach Blair Roman said there was a lot of red tape he had to go through in regards to insurance and other details. The teams will share the gate receipts, but Carson will lose out on snack bar money.

Roman doesn’t feel that it’s a big deal to give up a home game, especially when it’s a nonleague game.

“Playing at a neutral site will get the kids out of their comfort zone, and I believe that experience will help us more as the season progresses (no matter the outcome) than playing a home game.

“Not many high school kids in our area can say they played there, and I’m excited for my own son (Jake) to experience that as well. I feel fortunate.”

According to Roman and Reed’s Ernie Howren, it was Nevada head coach Brian Polian who reached out to both coaches.

“I wanted to return the hospitality that coach Polian has shown our program and my coaches the last couple of years,” Roman said. “He has really reached out to the local coaches to build good relationships, and I feel it’s a great opportunity to showcase our programs but also tie ourselves in with coach Polian’s efforts toward the local high schools. I think it’s a win-win for Reed, Carson, the University of Nevada and our whole league for that matter. It’s much needed in that regard.”

“Coach Polian told me that he would like to see more high school teams,” Howren said. “It’s really great and really appreciated.”

Historically, Saturday games don’t draw as well as Friday games, but both Howren and Roman hope with enough publicity the two games at Mackay will draw a good, regional crowd.

“Hopefully we can get a big build-up to the game,” Howren said. “Hopefully this will be a regular thing for years to come. We’re so excited to play the game at Nevada.”

Neither Howren or Roman feels the winner of the game would have a psychological advantage should the teams meet again this year in the playoffs.

“In terms of the game, both teams have much less to gain or lose psychologically having the game at a neutral field, win or lose,” Roman said. “We lost bad in the 2013 regular season, and I think it helped us in the regional final. We had something to prove. I think the biggest thing for us is we know what we’re up against, and it’s a measuring stick of where we’re at right now. I plan on using the outcome, no matter what the score, win or lose, as a motivating factor for us to try to have a good season.”

“It shouldn’t (make a difference),” Howren said. “It’s so early in the season. I just think it’s a great opportunity to play one of the best programs in the region and the state.”