Friday’s Highlights : Los Angeles Can’t Pass Washington Test, 34-21

Three minutes in the life of Tim Gardner, Los Angeles High School quarterback:

--First and 10: Gardner is sacked, losing nine yards.

--Second and 19: He throws incomplete.

--Third and 19: He is sacked immediately after the snap, losing five yards.

--Fourth and 24: Sacked again. Seven more yards lost.

Not for three minutes but for three hours Friday, this went on, as Washington rolled to a 34-21 nonleague victory at Los Angeles.

It was not Tim Gardner’s fault.

Los Angeles Coach John Watson’s game plan called for virtually nothing but passing, so Gardner did--46 times. That he completed 10 of those 46 passes for 144 yards was amazing, considering that at least 20 attempts were on the same slant play. Over and over again. In the second half, he threw 18 straight incompletions.

Watson blamed his offensive line, saying they are incapable of run blocking. Had the Romans run more than eight rushing plays--only two in the second half--they might have had a chance to block.

As it was, the Romans were couldn’t pass, either. Gardner was sacked seven times, losing 53 yards.

A scheduling oddity brought the two nonleague teams together twice this season, the first game finishing in a 7-7 tie.

After Los Angeles began the game with what would become a routine possession--sack, 2-yard gain, incomplete pass, punt--Sam Watson ran back the first of his two 45-yard punt return touchdowns. Watson, who played defensive back, flanker, running back and punter in the game, finished the game with 107 yards rushing and another touchdown in 8 carries.

Los Angeles punted again later in the first quarter, and Watson ran it back 45 yards--again--for a touchdown. Only this one was called back on a clipping call; nevertheless, Washington was in the end zone in three rushing plays and led, 14-0.

The Romans then managed their only actual touchdown drive of the day, going 44 yards in 10 plays with the help of two 15-yard penalties against Washington for piling on. On second and 10 from the 11, Gardner lobbed a flutter ball to Darnell Gray in the left corner of the end zone to cut it to 14-7.

Washington scored three quick times in the third quarter. Senior Reginald Brookens scored on a three-yard run on the opening drive, and Watson later scored on a three-yard run. After Watson’s touchdown, Los Angeles ran three plays and punted back to Watson, who again ran 45 yards down the left sideline, again untouched, to make it 34-7 and virtually over.