Carson Loses 21-0 Lead and Game to Washington, 30-27

With a three-touchdown lead early in the game, something drastic would have to occur if the Carson High football team were to be denied a City Section victory over visiting Washington Thursday night.

It did.

The Colts (3-3) turned the ball over five times, committed 13 penalties and stood by helplessly as Washington quarterback Sheldon Anderson led his team to a 30-27 Southern Pacific Conference victory in front of 2,000 at Gardena High.

Anderson ran for three touchdowns, passed for another and completed Washington’s (4-1) come-from-behind effort by intercepting Carson quarterback Jamie Sander on the game’s final play. Anderson completed 17 of 36 for 271 yards.

Sander had a rough evening, finishing with 154 yards on 11 of 23 passing. But he lost two fumbles and was intercepted three times.

The Colts threatened to put the game away early by scoring the first three times they touched the ball.

Tailback Theron Hill’s 48-yard kickoff return and 36-yard run on the first play from scrimmage set up fullback Robert Johnson’s seven-yard touchdown run.

After a high snap gave Carson the ball on the Washington 15, Johnson scored again, this time from six yards. Then Hill finished a nine-play, 72-yard drive with a five-yard scoring run.

The Generals got on the board late in the second quarter and pulled to within three, 21-18, midway through the third quarter when cornerback Kenneth Brown returned a Sander’s interception 45 yards.

Carson added to its lead on Sander’s one-yard sneak, but Washington came back on Anderson’s four-yard scoring run.

The Generals then went ahead with 3:53 remaining when Anderson passed to flanker Akeilon Branch for a 17-yard touchdown.

Carson had two more chances to score, but Anderson intercepted Sander’s pass with 10 seconds left to secure the victory.

Hill led all rushers with 117 yards, but only 22 in the second half. Johnson contributed 22 yards and two touchdown runs.

The loss snapped Carson’s two-game winning streak.