Carson Has a Field Day in 34-8 Win : Prep football: Colts shake off sluggish start and score on five of last six possessions to improve to 2-2.

It keeps getting better for the Carson High football team. Last week, the Colts got their first victory. Thursday, they won easily at the expense of mistake-plagued Washington.

Junior wingback J.R. Redmond scored three touchdowns and senior running back Robert Johnson had two TDs to help Carson recover from an inauspicious start and defeat the Generals, 34-8, in a Southern Pacific Conference game at Gardena High.

Both teams are 2-2.

The Colts finished strongly, scoring touchdowns on five of their last six possessions. They extended a 7-6 lead late in the second quarter with the assistance of an embarrassing mistake by Washington Coach Ed Johnson.

Thinking it was third down, Ed Johnson stunningly had his team attempt a pass on fourth-and-24 from its own 20-yard line. Quarterback Amar Brisco’s attempt was incomplete, turning the ball over to Carson with 17 seconds left in the half.

On the next play, quarterback Ramon Rogers completed a short pass near the left sideline to Redmond, who raced into the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. Rafael Mares’ extra point gave the Colts a 14-6 halftime lead.

“That’s my mistake,” Johnson said of the failed fourth-down attempt. “I didn’t know what down it was. I thought it was third down. Otherwise, I never would have done that.”

Carson Coach David Williams wouldn’t comment on the blunder until learning that Johnson had acknowledged his mistake.

“It was a gift,” Williams said. “If Christmas comes early, we will open the presents.”

Early in game, though, it looked like it might be Halloween for the Colts. Washington’s Jim McElroy returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, and on Carson’s first play from scrimmage Rogers was sacked and lost a fumble at the Colt 18.

But the Carson defense prevented Washington from scoring after the turnover and continued to dominate the game. The Colts sacked Brisco six times and held the Generals to minus-eight yards rushing, 54 total. Washington had four turnovers.

Brisco, normally a wide receiver, started in place of Washington’s regular quarterback, Mark Tong, who played only briefly in the fourth quarter because of a sprained ankle.