Banning Finds Its Way Home and Thrashes Taft, 27-0

Banning High felt at home with its 27-0 victory over Taft in a nonleague game Thursday night.

Playing their first on-campus game since the mid-1980s, the Pilots opened a 20-0 halftime lead then cruised as they improved their record to 3-0.

In light of the team’s popularity in the football-happy Wilmington community, games had been moved to larger venues to accommodate the large, manic crowds that the Pilots draw.

Against Taft, Banning stayed home to save money on transportation costs. There was no adjustment period: The Pilots slammed into Taft like a runaway bus. If this were a Banning homecoming game of sorts, then there were plenty of nominees for king.

Quarterback Vaimagalo Faavi-Tua’au rushed for 77 yards in 12 carries, and running backs Larry Rayford (91 yards, 17 carries), Shayzar Hawkins (70 yards, 12 carries), Brandon Moore (46 in eight) and Chris Smith (18 in two) led the option offense. All but Faavi-Tua’au scored once on the ground.

“We’re very happy with the way the backs are playing right now,” Banning Coach Joe Dominguez said. “The whole team is progressing and improving.”

Banning, ranked No. 1 in the South Bay by The Times, jumped to its 20-point lead at halftime and coasted thereafter. It could have been even more lopsided: The Pilots had two touchdowns nullified by penalties in the second half, including a 70-yard punt return by Smith.

Banning held Taft to 66 yards and rolled up 345 itself.

“The second half was pretty even,” Taft Coach Larry Stewart said. “We’re improving, and you don’t get better unless you play good teams like Banning.”

Banning’s nickname is the Pilots, but there was no need to go airborne against Taft. Faavi-Tua’au completed two of three passes for 34 yards.

Taft quarterback Karlon Mack, who was harassed in the pocket, completed four of 15 passes for 46 yards and had two throws intercepted. It wasn’t any easier on the ground for the Toreadors, who were led by fullback Aldon Bordenave with 27 yards in eight carries.

Banning pounded Taft (1-1) from the outset, scoring on its first three possessions--and its first defensive series as well. The Toreadors managed only two first downs in the first half, one of which came on a penalty. Taft finished in the red at intermission, held to minus-eight yards.

The first Taft possession set the tone. After two incomplete passes and a six-yard loss on a sack of Mack, the snap from center sailed past punter Randy Johnson and through the end zone for a safety.