Carson Has No Trouble With Banning, 24-13

It was supposed to be another close matchup between the City’s two traditional high school football powers, Carson and Banning, but it turned out to be all Carson.

The Colts (9-1) defeated their Pacific League rivals, 24-13, before a capacity crowd at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach Friday night.

With the victory, the Colts won their second consecutive league title and earned a bye in the City’s 4-A playoffs.

Th Colts were led by quarterback Perry Klein, who threw touchdown passes of 7 yards to Armin Youngblood and 36 yards to Errol Sapp.

Klein, who alternated at quarterback with Fred Gatlin, completed 7 of 9 passes for 102 yards.

Banning quarterback John Ma’ae showed signs of an ankle injury he suffered in the Pilots’ 34-14 win over Crenshaw last week. He was unable to avoid Carson’s pass rush, led by senior linebackers Todd Auvaa and Marlon Brooks.

Carson also shut down Banning’s rushing attack of senior running back Keith Mims and sophomore fullback Derek Sparks.

Sparks scored to start the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run. But Carson answered with a 3-yard touchdown run by Youngblood.

Banning will play Manual Arts Friday in first-round play.