Prep Football : Carson Does It With Defense Again, 6-0

Fifteen-thousand people at East Los Angeles College were the witnesses, and the biggest game so far this year, at least in terms of emotion, was the setting Saturday afternoon as the Carson defense proved what Coach Gene Vollnogle has been saying nearly all season--that it’s the unsung group on the City’s top-ranked prep team.

“Our defense has been coming around,” Vollnogle said. “In a couple of weeks, they’ll really be awesome. We have a much quicker line than most people realize.”

What a time they picked to prove him right. Banning had the ball on the Carson 18 after recovering a fumble late in the game, but the Colts quickly shut the door and left Chris Ferragamo’s Pilots still looking for the key to their offense as Carson scored a 6-0 victory in the Pacific League opener for both teams.

Banning took possession with 5:56 remaining and called three straight running plays to put the ball at the 10. It was fourth down. The clock showed 4:24. The Pilots called a timeout. Then they called another run.

And moments later, Vollnogle called it a win for the defense as a swarm of Carson players stopped Earl Saunders for a two-yard loss that turned the ball over to the Colts for the last time. Joaquin Barnett made the initial stop and held Saunders by the jersey until Pete McLachlan could finish the job--and Banning.

“I didn’t think they would shut us out,” Ferragamo said. “I figured we could at least score. But our guys didn’t rise to the occasion.”

Both coaches went into the game less than thrilled with their offenses and probably came out feeling not much better. But as it turned out, a 45-yard scoring pass from Marc Walters (4 of 5 for 81 yards) to Wendell Keller with 7:19 remaining in the first half would be all Carson (5-1) needed on this day.

The Banning defense also played well, holding Carson’s Calvin ‘n’ Alvin tandem--running backs Calvin Holmes and Alvin Goree--to 72 and 55 yards, respectively. Thirty-one of Holmes’ yards came on his last carry with Carson running out the clock. Eric Sharp had 74 yards for Banning.

But the Pilots, who beat Carson last season during league play before losing in the 4-A championship game at the Coliseum, were hurt again by turnovers, one in particular, as their record dropped to 2-3 overall. They came up with a big defensive play on fourth down to give the ball to the offense, but on the next play the offense gave the ball right back as Saunders had his halfback-option pass intercepted by John Lauvai near midfield.

Then, on its first play, Carson got the touchdown (Sheldon Jones’ extra-point attempt was blocked) as Walters passed over the middle to Keller, who broke an arm tackle to score.