Franklin Reliving Its Glory Years

Franklin’s 21-14 victory last Friday over Granada Hills--at Granada Hills--brought back memories of the 1940s, when the Panthers were a perennial power.

In a matchup of defending City champions, 3-A Franklin spent much of last week anticipating its game against the mighty 4-A team that had upset the even mightier Carson in last season’s title game.

“The kids were really looking forward to the game, and then Granada Hills lined up and it was like, ‘Whoa!’ ” said Armando Gonzalez, Franklin’s coach. “They had 68 kids suited up and we had 49. And they are bigger in size than we are.”

Had Granada Hills left its touted defense at home?

“Are you kidding? They shut out Roosevelt the week before, 21-0, and held them to 34 yards,” Gonzalez said. “But our offensive line allowed no sacks. That’s incredible.”

It didn’t even seem to matter that Franklin had four key starters out with minor injuries, or that the Panthers were starting a rookie quarterback. Somehow, they just got the job done. But then, under Gonzalez, they usually do.

Gonzalez’s teams have won the city title the last two seasons, and have a chance to become the first 3-A team to win three straight in the decade.

“We have 10 returning starters and a bunch of kids who believe in teamwork,” Gonzalez said. “Lamont Lovett, who is a being heavily recruited, wasn’t even concerned at the end of the game how many yards he rushed for.”

Lovett, a 6-foot 1-inch, 195-pound tailback who ran for 993 yards last season, rushed for 110 yards in 22 carries, and also caught 4 passes, against Granada Hills.

All-City receiver Chad Infranca, a 5-11 senior, caught 11 passes for 106 yards. Lucio Solano, at 6-0 and 175, played the entire game at 5 positions--tight end, flanker, tailback, defensive back and special teams. He caught 6 passes, all in traffic, intercepted 1 and threw the winning touchdown pass to Albert Miramontes on an option play.

Even so, the outstanding performance was turned in by quarterback Santiago Alvarez. In his first varsity game, the 5-11 junior completed 25 of 35 passes for 250 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Franklin was a powerhouse in the 1940s, then faded into near obscurity until 1959, when it won its first league championship in 10 years. After that, Franklin had sporadic moments of glory, such as 9-0 and 7-6 victories over powerful Northern League rival Wilson in 1970 and ‘71, but didn’t get back to consistent strength until 1980, when Gonzalez returned to his alma mater as coach.

By 1982, Franklin was back in the semifinals. Then in 1983, Gonzalez guided the Panthers to the 2-A title, its first City championship. There were no City championships from 1941-47.

Gonzalez took a leave of absence in 1984-85, and the Panthers had 2-7 and 5-3 seasons, respectively. Gonzalez returned in 1986 and has led Franklin to 3-A titles the last two years.

Franklin forfeited the 1986 3-A title because it had used an ineligible player, which was not discovered until after the season was over. The identity of the player was never revealed, though it was said at the time that he was not a starter. A new champion was never declared, however, and the City still lists Franklin as the 3-A champion for 1986.

It will be La Puente Bishop Amat’s quick and aggressive defense against Long Beach Poly’s offense Saturday night at Long Beach Veterans Stadium. And it seems fitting that these Southern Section teams will play each other after beating powerful City teams last Friday.

Quarterback Michael Carter of Long Beach Poly rushed for 48 yards and threw 8 passes for 197 yards and 3 touchdowns in helping defeat Banning at Long Beach, 21-20. Carter made at least 2 pressure plays--a 52-yard scoring pass with 26 seconds left in the half and a 37-yard touchdown pass after a 17-yard scramble.

The game came down to the wire, with Jason Jones saving Poly’s victory by blocking a 21-yard field goal attempt by Banning with 9 seconds left.

Bishop Amat’s defensive line is not big by any means, but it was quick and aggressive enough to limit Carson to 86 yards of total offense in Bishop Amat’s 17-13 win at home.

Wade Kennedy, a 5-11, 195-pound linebacker, recovered 2 fumbles, had 6 unassisted tackles and assisted on 4 more. Loren Cannon, a 5-11, 175-pound defensive back, had 3 unassisted and 4 assisted tackles, deflected 4 passes and was credited with saving 2 touchdowns.

Defensive ends Doug Ramos and Art Shavolla, and linebacker Kurt Szalonek also had an outstanding game.

Prep Notes:

Southern Section schools were 5-0 against Los Angeles City schools last weekend. Winners, besides Bishop Amat and Long Beach Poly, were Gardena Serra, which beat Gardena High, 19-0; Lawndale Leuzinger, which beat San Pedro, 30-6, and Bell Gardens, which beat Bell, 14-6.

San Marino will play host to Jackson Academy of Jackson, Miss., Friday, and it will be Jackson’s first game against a public school. In Mississippi, private schools do not compete against public schools.

Dennis Collier of Rialto Eisenhower ran for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Eagles’ 28-14 win over Cajon. Combined with his 240 yards against Bellflower St. John Bosco last week, Collier is the leading rusher in the Southern Section with 421 yards and 5 touchdowns. . . . Anaheim Servite’s Derek Brown rushed for 221 yards in the Friars’ 45-0 win over Huntington Beach Marina, giving him 392 yards for the season.

Running back Russell White of Encino Crespi will be featured on ESPN’s “Scholastic Sports America” Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. White, who said his injured ankle is 80% healed, is expected to play Saturday against San Fernando.

South Gate’s Ivan Wilson rushed for 235 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in a 41-14 win over Roosevelt. South Gate has outscored opponents, 77-14.

TIMES’ PREP POLLS

Southern Section

No. School, League . . . & Record

1. Loyola, Del Rey . . . 2-0-0

2. Long Beach Poly, Moore . . . 1-0-0

3. Fontana, Citrus Belt . . . 2-0-0

4. Servite, Angelus . . . 2-0-0

5. Bishop Amat, Angelus . . . 2-0-0

6. Fountain Valley, Sunset . . . 2-0-0

7. Eisenhower, Citrus Belt . . . 2-0-0

8. Redlands, Citrus Belt . . . 2-0-0

9. Crespi, Del Rey . . . 1-1-0

10. Muir, Pacific . . . 2-0-0

11. Antelope Valley, Golden . . . 2-0-0

12. Santa Ana, Century . . . 2-0-0

13. Mission Viejo, South Coast . . . 2-0-0

14. Oxnard, Channel . . . 2-0-0

15. Santa Barbara, Channel . . . 2-0-0

City

No. School, League . . . & Record

1. Franklin . . . 2-0-0

2. Carson . . . 1-1-0

3. Banning . . . 1-1-0

4. GH Kennedy . . . 2-0-0

5. University . . . 1-0-0

6. Washington . . . 2-0-0

7. San Fernando . . . 1-1-0

8. Taft . . . 1-0-0

9. Granada Hills . . . 1-1-0

10. Hamilton . . . 1-1-0