I mentioned to one of the parents of one of the fellas yesterday in the grocery store that I hoped, even though they took a pretty big loss on Saturday evening in Loomis, that they will remember that “event”, the experience, for a long time… I’m sure some will… I know I will.
My day started out with the CHS Varsity Volleyball team up at the Kings Canyon waterfall… and ended with arriving at home at 2:00 am with the Nevada Appeal delivery person dropping our copy of the paper with my photos from a game in Loomis, CA inside, what a surreal thing… 🙂  Crazy how that happens!
I’d first like to make a huge shout out to the Carson High Football Boosters for their efforts to make this trip as comfortable as I think it could possibly be. Â They chartered four buses so we didn’t have to ride school buses!! Â That’s the life fellas! And pizza for the fellas after the game on the bus!! Â Be sure to thank the boosters when you see them!
Hind sight will always be much clearer and I hope at the end of the season we can look back at this game and see that it was pivotal in the success of the 2014 season, I know that’s a hard pill to swallow after licking wounds of a big loss but I think you have to keep games like this in perspective.  Clayton Valley has a great football program.  Playing someone like that exposes where you are as team on that night; it does not define you as a team the first game of the season.  As I’ve come to know how Coach Roman and his staff work, I know there will be valuable lessons taken from this game, I’m excited about this season!
This event is the first leg of The Honor Bowl put on by The Honor Group (http://thehonorgroup.org) (there’s a second weekend in So. Cal this week). Â They are dedicated to helping America’s wounded warriors. Â At one end of the field they had military vehicles on display and before each game they honored several military veterans who have been wounded in defending our country, very cool event to help our nation’s heroes!
On to the game!
I’m still trying for that helmet popping off shot, I got an earlier one of this series but it’s still not quite “the shot”… The kid wrapped up in the middle of this Senator sandwich is Mr. Harrison, he put up some impressive stats Saturday evening… but he didn’t always have free running space.
This shot makes me remember back to the basketball game where Brady was wearing his Superman cape and throwing his punches at the crowd. Â Can’t tell it’s really Brady so I added the follow on shot…
Yes, he did make the sack!
This was one of the things that I’ll take a way from the game… it seems very simple but I’ve not seen a team execute it quite as well as Clayton Valley. Â For obvious reasons Colby was going to be a marked man but even when the Clayton Valley kids were down on the ground they were still working to try to grab feet or anything they could to try to trip up the runners, and it happened on multiple occasions and saved them some potential loss of yardage.
Fumble! Carson recovery! Â The ball did bounce the Senator way too!
Clayton Valley didn’t throw the ball very much, they have a fierce ground game and a big line to do it behind… here’s the one first half pass/reception, right on the money through good coverage….
Just like this shot, bodies flying are always fun!
Elijah had some good success running the ball… I’m guessing game footage of this game will put a damper of that for the balance of the season but I’d guess Coach Roman has more up his sleeve! 🙂
A shout out to Joe Nelson!  If you follow Carson High Baseball you know who Joe is… if not, well, now you’ve seen him on the football field!  He’s headed to Australia for an honor he picked up playing baseball over the winter break and if you ask me, he showed a lot of poise and composure against Clayton Valley. Neither Carson quarterbacks Saturday night had seen many reps in varsity action so to have moved the ball as well as they did… I think we’re going to see some great stuff from them this year.
Mr. Colby Brown headed to the end zone! Â As you may remember Colby didn’t see a single snap from the field for the 2013 season due to an injury… he’s back! Â He looks health, strong and back to his defense carving ways! Â Welcome back Colby and congratulations on earning the Carson High MVP for the game!
Colby and Brady were recognized for their play in this game… Here they’re signing 20 footballs that will go to the sponsors of this event.
Of course it was going to be a battle… it’s Carson Douglas! 🙂
At the final whistle… the nail in the coffin… Douglas 2 Carson 0… now onto the playoffs for both teams. Â Douglas will play at home and Carson will travel, both games Tuesday night.
