Football: Los Angeles wins its first City title in 49 years
Romans defeat Monroe, 28-14, in Division III game
The drought is over for the Los Angeles Romans, the newly crowned City Section Division III football champions.
Not since 1965 had the Romans (12-2) won a title, but a 26-yard touchdown run by Richard Smith with 4:03 left clinched a 28-14 victory over Monroe on Saturday at the Coliseum.
“The Romans in the Coliseum _ what a better place,” said Coach Eric Scott, who took over a team that was 1-9 last season and finished up with a City title.
Sophomore quarterback Kaymen Cureton competed 20 of 34 passes for 243 yards and two touchdowns. The Romans had to overcome three lost fumbles and an interception. Derrick Kellum had a 50-yard touchdown catch and Smith caught a four-yard score.
“This was really amazing,” Cureton said. “It hasn’t really hit me yet. It’s truly a championship team.”
Monroe (10-4) had many opportunities but was unable to move the ball for an extended period. Luis Dorame completed 18 of 38 passes for 160 yards.
A key play in the second half was a fumble recovery by Monroe’s Walter Rosales that was returned for an apparent 67-yard touchdown, but an illegal block in the back nullified the touchdown.
It was the ninth overall City title for Los Angeles, the oldest high school in Southern California.
Justin Rogers of Los Angeles caught six passes for 103 yards.
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