Column: Lawndale High finds great football success under Travis Clark

Even though Travis Clark, the Lawndale High first-year football coach, used to work a short walk from the beach during his days coaching at Santa Monica, he has no complaints about his new job.

“I’m enjoying it,” he said. “We get a nice breeze off the 405 freeway.”

Lawndale (8-1, 4-0 in Ocean League play) is having a season to remember. It clinched at least a share of its first league title since 1966 on Friday night with a 41-0 victory over El Segundo.

“That’s exciting. That’s amazing,” Clark said.

Clark won three Ocean League titles at Santa Monica and now Lawndale has risen to the top behind a defense that has recorded five shutouts in eight games.

“This is the closest thing to perfection I’ve seen since I’ve been coaching,” he said of Friday’s defensive performance. “Those kids were on fire.”

Leading the way was senior safety Jalen Walker. The players were so good that Clark gave them Saturday morning off from conditioning.

Zach Cooper rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback Chris Murray passed for two touchdowns.

Pac-5 intrigue

There are lots of playoff spots still to be finalized in the Pac-5 Division playoffs. The biggest decision will be determing two at-large spots.

Going into the final weekend of the regular season, Bellflower St. John Bosco (9-0, 4-0), Santa Ana Mater Dei (7-2, 2-2) and Orange Lutheran (5-4, 2-2) look good from the Trinity League. Anaheim Servite (4-5, 2-2), San Juan Capistrano JSerra (6-3, 1-3) and Santa Margarita (5-4, 1-3) still have hope. JSerra upset Mater Dei, 35-28, adding intrigue. On Friday, it’s St. John Bosco-Servite, Santa Margarita-Mater Dei and Orange Lutheran-JSerra.

The Marmonte League could end with a three-way tie for first if Westlake (7-2, 1-1) can knock off Westlake Village Oaks Christian (9-0, 2-0) and Ventura St. Bonaventure (6-3, 1-1) beats Moorpark (5-4, 0-2). Oaks Christian sophomore quarterback Matt Corral picked up a scholarship offer from UCLA on Saturday.

In the Mission League, Gardena Serra (8-1, 5-0), Los Angeles Loyola (8-1, 4-1) and La Puente Bishop Amat (7-2, 4-1) appear in good shape. West Hills Chaminade (6-3, 3-2) is an at-large candidate. Bishop Amat and Loyola face off Friday and Chaminade plays Serra.

Southern Section seedings will be announced Nov. 8.

South Gate rolls

In an Eastern League rivalry game, South Gate (8-1, 5-0) rolled to a 58-13 victory over South East. Miguel Guerra copleted 16 of 21 passes for 271 yards and five touchdowns, and ran for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Tremar Holiness had 153 yards in nine carries. South Gate plays at Garfield (7-2, 5-0) on Friday.