Top-Ranked Dorsey Is Upset by Banning

Banning High Coach Joe Dominguez has been saying for weeks that his team reminds him of the club that won the 1985 City title.

Suddenly it is easy to see why.

In a Pacific League game Friday night, the Pilots upset top-rated and previously undefeated Dorsey, 21-0, at Gardena High.

Banning running back Travis Davis ran for 210 yards in 25 carries and quarterback Anthony Nicholson threw for two touchdowns. The Pilots, the Times’ fourth-rated City team, started the season with two losses but are now 4-3 overall and 3-1 in the Southern Pacific Conference.

“We played old-fashioned Banning football tonight,” said Dominguez, who is in his third year as Banning’s coach. “We’ve been improving every week, and this gives us a tremendous boost.”

Dorsey (6-1, 3-1), the defending City 4-A champion, struggled offensively. In a scoreless first quarter, Dorsey failed to get a first down in three series.

Banning took a 7-0 lead on its second possession as fullback Ken McKinley scored on a two-yard run with 8:53 left in the second quarter. On their next drive, the Dons went 48 yards before being stopped on fourth down at the Banning 32-yard line.

On the ensuing series, the Pilots scored on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Anthony Nicholson to tight end Lino Quintana, making the score 13-0 at halftime.

At intermission, Banning had 189 yards in total offense and 10 first downs while holding Dorsey to 67 yards and one first down.

Davis, a 6-foot, 180-pound senior, had 125 yards in 13 carries in the first half, including a 51-yard run on the Pilots’ first offensive play. He has 944 yards for the season.

“I’ve been associated with Banning for a long time (15 years),” Dominguez said, “and Travis Davis ranks with the best we’ve had. He is a great player.”

Banning’s final touchdown came on a 25-yard pass play from Nicholson to Eddy Andrews on a fourth-and-seven play with 7:37 left in the game. Nicholson’s conversion run made the score 21-0.

Nicholson completed five of six passes for 77 yards. He also carried eight times for 43 yards.

For the Dons, tailback Lamont Warren had 55 yards in nine carries. Dorsey quarterback Ronald Peebles completed five of 14 passes for 55 yards and had three interceptions, two by Enrico Nelson.