City Football Semifinalists to Put Streaks on the Line

The four high school football teams that have reached the semifinals of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs have been on a roll for weeks.

The matchups between Kennedy and Banning and Sylmar and Dorsey on Friday involve teams that have played at least two months without losing on the field.

Second-seeded Kennedy (11-1) has won nine consecutive games since its 22-14 loss to Crenshaw in the third week of the season. For Banning (11-1), its lone “defeat” came as a result of its highly publicized forfeit to Dorsey. Banning refused to play at Jackie Robinson Stadium, Dorsey’s home field, citing safety concerns.

Sylmar has won 10 consecutive games since its 24-22 loss to Chatsworth in the Spartans’ opener. Top-seeded Dorsey (9-1-1) has not lost in its past nine games.

Rushing: Glendale tailback Pathon Rucker finished his three-year career as the school’s rushing and scoring leader. Rucker gained 4,495 yards in 607 carries (7.4 average) and scored 59 touchdowns and 12 two-point conversions for 378 points.

This season, Rucker rushed for 1,698 yards in 217 carries (7.8 average) and scored 21 touchdowns. He had his most productive season as a junior, gaining 1,878 yards in 229 carries (8.2 average) with 31 touchdowns.

Kennedy tailback Elijah Raphael has rushed for 819 yards and scored 14 touchdowns in the past four games, and the Golden Cougars have outscored their past five opponents, 198-28. . . . Sylmar tailback Tobaise Brookins is averaging 6.9 yards a carry in the Spartans’ two playoff wins and has rushed for 767 yards and 12 touchdowns in the past four games.

Defense: San Fernando had yielded 590 yards rushing in its first 11 games before surrendering 264 yards rushing to Sylmar in the Spartans’ 31-7 quarterfinal win.

Streaks: With its 21-19 win over previously unbeaten Huntington Park in the City 3-A quarterfinals, Chatsworth improved its record to 6-1 in away games. Chatsworth is 2-3 at home, where it will face Roosevelt on Friday.