HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CITY SECTION CHAMPIONSHIPS : Vollnogle’s Goal With Carson: Go Out on Top

The high school football season comes to a close tonight with title games in the City 4-A and 3-A divisions. New champions are assured because neither Dorsey (4-A) nor Franklin (3-A) advanced to defend their titles.

A look at tonight’s matchups:

4-A DIVISION

CARSON (11-1) vs. BANNING (9-3)

At El Camino College, 7:30 p.m.

The schools have played in nine City title games since 1978, Carson having won the last meeting, 55-7, in 1988.

This will be the last game for Carson Coach Gene Vollnogle, who is retiring after an illustrious 38-year career. Vollnogle, whose varsity record of 288-73-1 is the best in the state, will be going after a record 10th City title.

“I’m just glad my last game is against Banning,” Vollnogle said. “It wouldn’t seem like a City championship unless Banning was our opponent.”

Carson and Banning have been neighborhood rivals since Vollnogle left Banning to coach at Carson in 1963. Although the series was even for most of those years, Carson has won the last six meetings. Carson defeated Banning this season, 41-14.

Carson routed Woodland Hills El Camino Real, 54-0, in the quarterfinals, and had little more trouble in a 57-13 victory over Granada Hills in the semifinals last week.

Second-ranked Banning has won seven in a row since its loss to Carson. The Pilots defeated Kennedy in the quarterfinals, 20-10, and came from behind to beat Dorsey in the semifinals, 21-20.

Carson’s main threat is senior quarterback John Walsh, who holds the state single-season passing record with 4,030 yards. He has completed 215 of 366 passes (59%) and has 46 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He is 426 yards shy of the national record set last weekend by Donnie Davis of Burlington (N.C.) Cummings High.

Banning counters with senior running back Travis Davis, who has rushed for 1,657 yards in 223 carries and scored 17 touchdowns.

Walsh and Davis were voted co-MVPs of the Pacific League.

“I think we can beat them,” said Davis, who has surpassed 200 yards in three games this season. “We just have to play harder and eliminate the turnovers.”

Banning Coach Joe Dominguez is out of hot water after missing the playoffs last season, a first for the Pilots since 1974.

3-A DIVISION

LINCOLN (9-3-1) vs. POLY (10-3)

At East L.A. College, 7:30 p.m.

Although coaches of both teams said they expected to have good seasons, neither could have imagined this kind of a finish. Poly, 1-8-1 last season, is playing in the title game for the first time since 1968. Lincoln, 4-6 last season, is making its first championship appearance since 1935.

“It’s been crazy around here this week,” Lincoln Coach Randy Rodriguez said. “Alums are coming out of the woodwork and calling the school. This is something very special for everyone here.”

Lincoln established itself as a contender earlier in the season when it beat previously undefeated Wilson, 48-21. But the Tigers lost to Belmont the next week and were upset by Hollywood in the final regular-season game.

In the playoffs, Lincoln upset Westchester in the first round, 22-18; defeated Garfield in the quarterfinals, 13-10; and routed Belmont in the semifinals, 43-6.

Lincoln is led by senior quarterback Gaspar Ortega, who has passed for 2,165 yards and 25 touchdowns. His leading receiver is younger brother Marcelo Ortega, who has 38 receptions for 518 yards and seven touchdowns.

Poly upset top-seeded Fairfax in the semifinals, 35-28. Senior tailback Jonathan Campbell is the leader with 1,909 yards in 273 carries and 29 touchdowns. He holds the school rushing record with 3,664 yards.

“Everything has just come together for us in the end,” Poly Coach Fred Cuccia said. “Each week we’ve just gotten better.”