Nevada Appeal: Senator football ushers in new era

Senator football ushers in new era

There will be familiar faces on the Carson High School sideline this fall, but as far as the Senators are concerned, they’ve entered a new regime.

Steven Nelms takes over as the first-year head coach. Even though he has patrolled the blue and white sideline as an assistant before, this will be is first foray as the man in charge.

“We not me,” is the mentality Nelms is trying to instill in his first year. Carson opened up the fall with its first look in a scrimmage Friday night against Galena and Pershing County.

There will be familiar faces on the Carson High School sideline this fall, but as far as the Senators are concerned, they’ve entered a new regime.

Steven Nelms takes over as the first-year head coach. Even though he has patrolled the blue and white sideline as an assistant before, this will be is first foray as the man in charge.

“We not me,” is the mentality Nelms is trying to instill in his first year. Carson opened up the fall with its first look in a scrimmage Friday night against Galena and Pershing County.

“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t any nerves,” said Nelms on Episode 193 of the Behind the Bench podcast. “… Our team goal is, come November, in time for playoffs, we are a brand-new football team.”

Carson’s playoff route will be determined in a new-look Class 4A North, featuring North Valleys, Hug, McQueen, Reno and Wooster.


One of the major differences this season will be the top four teams making the playoffs. In past seasons, all six have qualified for the regional playoffs.

“Hopefully, when we are looking back and watching film, we don’t even recognize this team in August,” Nelms said.

OFFENSIVE MAKEUP

Heading into Friday’s scrimmage, the quarterback battle was in full swing.

Seniors Nicholas Heald and Tyler Silbsy both had limited reps at quarterback last season but will be challenging each other for that QB1 spot this season. Elijah Larry, a junior, is another name in the mix under center as well.

“At this point in time it’s still a very open competition. They each do things well and then they each have areas for a lot of growth,” said Nelms. “We are looking to see who can take charge.”

Running back will be handled by committee as several options in the backfield will also play on defense, too.

Justin Gonzalez and Johnathan Alvarado are two returning names in the backfield.

Ean Thomas, Eli Gonzalez and Brayden Welch have all received reps at running back thus far this fall.

All five names — plus maybe a few others — are in the plans to switch into the fullback role when needed, according to Nelms.

The options out wide at receiver will include Zack Eaton, Riley Loff and Cooper Feuling.

Eaton was a 5A-III second-team all-region selection as a junior, putting up 280 yards receiving and three scores.

Senior Shane Robison has been the Senators’ hybrid role so far in camp, taking snaps at running back, full back and receiver.

Landon Gafford, Santino Ferretti and Ethan Linehan are all in the mix at tight end.

On the offensive line, Nelms anticipates a lot of plug and play.

At tackle, Aaron Linehan, Cesar Pacheco, Grantt Benavidez and Joseph Madera are all in the early-season mix.

Madera was a second team all-region selection in 2024 on the offensive line.

At guard, Canyon Frantz will be one name in the mix.

Joseph Martinez has taken reps at both guard and center for the Senators.

Daniel Rivera, who is coming off a leg injury in 2024, is anticipated to play anywhere on the line.

“He’s a hybrid for us. He’s been one of the real bright spots for us,” said Nelms of Rivera. “He’s had a really solid camp.”

Johnny Avina will be Carson’s center to start the season, but every spot on the line is somewhat tentative.

DEFENSE

Rivera, Frantz and Aaron Linehan will maintain the defensive tackle spots for the Senators.

Defensive end will be propped up by Heald, Brody Eck, Larry and Damian Porter. Heald was an honorable mention all-region nod at the position last fall.

At inside linebacker will be Nicholas Alvarado and Justin Gonzalez, who will have the first responsibilities in the gaps.

Gonzalez was a first team all-region linebacker last season, finishing second on the Senators in tackles with 102.

Welch is another name to keep an eye out for at inside backer.

Johnathan Alvarado, Thomas and Logan Mckenna will roam at the outside linebacker positions.

Cruz Gonzalez and Robinson will start at corner.

Landen Anderson is another name getting a look at cornerback, too, this season.

At safety, Ezekiel Keechler and Matthew Manley are holding down the fort with Eaton also getting snaps at both defensive back positions.

On special teams, Rivera will take the long snapping job while Larry and Johnathan Alvarado will split early-season punting duties.

Kicking responsibilities are currently in the hands of starting center Johnny Avina, but Nelms said the Senators are “fine-tuning” several options at the position.



COACHING STAFF

Nelms will not be the only returning face on Carson High’s sideline this season, as Blair Roman will return as an assistant coach.

Brady Ovard and Darin Heredia are two new assistant coaches, both of whom followed Nelms from Douglas last season.

Abel Carter will be roaming the sidelines once again for the Senators, but as an assistant coach.

Jake Myers and Tom Ross are two other coaches on the varsity staff.



SENATORS’ SCHEDULE

8/22: vs. Spring Creek, 7 p.m.

8/29: at Canyon Springs, 7 p.m.

9/5: at Spanish Springs, 7 p.m.

9/19: vs. Reed, 7 p.m.

9/25: at North Valleys, 7 p.m.*

10/3: vs. Hug, 7 p.m.*

10/10: at Douglas, 7 p.m.

10/17: at McQueen, 7 p.m.*

10/24: vs. Reno, 7 p.m.*

10/30: vs. Wooster, 7 p.m.*

* – 4A North league game