John Walsh’s Carson Debut a Hit

Carson High quarterback John Walsh had a record-breaking debut in the Colts’ 37-26 victory over La Puente Bishop Amat Friday night at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

Walsh, who played at West Torrance last season, set school single-game records for completions (19) and yardage (375) while accounting for four touchdowns in his first game in control of Carson’s single-back passing offense.

Bishop Amat wore down in the fourth quarter after closing to within 27-26 late in the third quarter on fullback Jason Patterson’s one-yard run.

Bishop Amat had chances to take the lead, but Carson put the game away on an 83-yard touchdown bomb from Walsh to Latario Rachel and a 21-yard field goal by Aaron Villarreal.

“I couldn’t be happier for a first game,” said Walsh, who completed 19 of 31 passes for 375 yards and helped account for four touchdowns, three of them on one-yard sneaks. “I was hoping to pass for 400 (yards) tonight, but this is only a preview of things to come.”

Carson opened the game with an 11-play, 76-yard drive, which Walsh finished with his first one-yard score. Bishop Amat quarterback Zach Zertuche answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ealar Gallagher.

Walsh then scored his second one-yard touchdown after a 40-yard pass play to Theron Hill. That gave Carson a 13-6 lead.

The Lancers tied the score twice in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by Patterson and another scoring pass from Zertuche to Gallagher. Carson kept pace with a 99-yard kickoff return by Abdul Muhammad between the Bishop Amat’s scores and took a 27-20 halftime lead on a one-yard sneak by Walsh.

Zertuche, who completed 15 of 25 passes, drove the Lancers to a score to make it 27-26, but in the fourth quarter, he threw three of his four interceptions.

The victory was the 299th for Carson Coach Gene Vollnogle.