Friday’s Playoff Highlights : Carson Gains Sixth Straight Final

As far as tradition goes, it’s difficult to beat December. At this time every year, Christmas carols return to the radio, shoppers flock to the malls and Carson High returns to the City championship game.

This year is no exception.

Carson earned a championship berth for the sixth consecutive season by pounding Granada Hills, 56-14, in a 4-A semifinal game at Granada Hills Friday night.

Carson entered the game the favorite, but Granada Hills, which trailed at the end of the third quarter, 49-0, was expected to put up a tougher fight. After all, this was the first Highlander team to finish a regular season undefeated. In its first 10 games, Granada Hills (now 9-1-1) averaged 31 points while allowing only 8. The Highlanders’ defense had limited opponents to seven points or less in seven of those games.

The Colts started William Pope, normally a wide receiver, at quarterback. But it was soon clear that the game would be a rout. Carson (10-1) scored three touchdowns on its first nine plays and took a 21-0 lead before most fans had wiped the rain from their seats.

By the end of the first quarter, Carson led, 28-0, and had rolled up 254 yards while holding Granada Hills to minus 6. The Highlanders did not pick up a first down until midway through the second quarter--and that came on a penalty by Carson.

“They came here to beat us,” said Khalid Ali, who rushed for 104 yards in 20 carries for Granada Hills. “They outplayed us, outfinessed us, and outhustled us.

“I’m going to try to remember all the victories. I don’t want to dwell on the loss.”

Said Carson Coach Gene Vollnogle: “I thought we’d score 30 to 40 points, but not in the first quarter. They have an average run defense, but their defensive backs do not even compare to Banning’s.”

In next week’s 4-A championship game, the Colts, who have won six City titles, will face Banning, which defeated Kennedy, 32-14, Friday night. Carson’s only loss of the season was to Banning in league play.

Carson finished with 407 yards of total offense. Granada Hills had 275, of which 218 came in the second half against the Colts’ second- and third-string defenses.

The Colts were led by tailback Alvin Goree, who rushed for 47 yards in 7 carries and scored touchdowns on runs of 3, 7, 3 and 1 yards. Calvin Holmes of Carson gained 117 yards in 11 carries, including a 38-yard touchdown run.

Pope, who played only the first half, completed 6 of 8 passes for 182 and a touchdown. He sprained his wrist but is expected to play against Banning.

Granada Hills scored its touchdowns on passes from Jeremy Leach to Sean Brown and Anthony Graves. Leach completed 21 of 37 for 186 yards but was only 4 of 13 at halftime. Brown caught 8 passes for 67 yards.