PREP FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT / Facts, Figures and Comments from Last Week’s Games

PILOT PAY-BACK

Banning was the first victim in San Pedro’s 13-game winning streak, losing to the Pirates, 22-21, last season. Friday night, the Pilots had their revenge.

Led by an aggressive defense, Banning stuffed San Pedro’s running game and came up with four second-half turnovers to defeat the Pirates, 17-0, in a Southern Pacific Conference game at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

By ending the area’s longest winning streak, the Pilots took a big step toward restoring their pride and regaining their place among the elite teams in the City Section.

“Our kids were inspired because they looked forward to this game for a whole year,” Banning defensive coordinator Ken Stumpf said. “There were several kids who wanted a little pay-back.”

One of the Pilots’ motivated players was defensive lineman John Toavalu. The 6-foot, 265-pound junior helped Banning limit San Pedro to 101 yards rushing in 31 carries.

“They tried to double-team me and triple-team me, but it just came down to gut-check,” said Toavalu, an all-league selection as a sophomore. “Our line held them. They couldn’t get anything on our defense. We’ve got the best defense in the City (Section).”

San Pedro never advanced farther than Banning’s 36-yard line. Two second-half fumbles by tailback Jeff Williams ended Pirate drives near midfield, and fourth-quarter interceptions by defensive back Anthony McClendon and outside linebacker Ramiro Morales kept Banning in control. Morales returned his interception 36 yards for a touchdown to end the scoring.

“You have to give Banning credit,” San Pedro Coach Mike Walsh said. “They really did a job on us.”

It was the third consecutive victory for Banning, which improved to 3-2, 2-0 in the conference. San Pedro (4-1, 1-1) got a solid game from junior quarterback Mike Lennox, who played in place of injured starter Chris Pappas (sprained knee).

STEALING THE SHOW

The Hawthorne defense made Torrance’s Tony Brown, the South Bay passing leader, look like an ordinary quarterback Friday night. The Cougars (4-1) intercepted four of Brown’s passes en route to a 34-12 victory at Hawthorne.

Brown appeared to be on his way to a big night after completing an 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Daymon Felis in the second quarter to pull Torrance (2-3) within 17-12.

However, with the start of the third quarter came the start of Brown’s problems. Three of his first four passes were intercepted, allowing Hawthorne to build its lead.

“We knew they could throw the ball,” Hawthorne Coach Dan Robbins said. “But, we also knew we had the guys who could cover them.”

Defensive backs Rudy Mejia and Kelvin Hunter each had two interceptions to lead a Cougar secondary that was missing cornerback Aaron Butler and strong safety Justin Stallings for most of the game. Butler was out because of the flu and Stallings left in the first quarter after dislocating his right kneecap on a punt return.

Hunter has four interceptions this season, nine in the past two.

BACK FROM THE DEAD

That noise coming from Narbonne is the sound of losing streaks being broken.

The resurgent Gauchos (2-3, 1-1) accomplished the following Friday night in their 13-12 Southern League victory over host Gardena:

* First victory over the Mohicans since 1980.

* First league victory since 1983.

* First two-win season since 1987.

Long-suffering Narbonne fans are talking about the possibility of making the City Section playoffs.

“Playoffs? I’m worried about Carson,” said first-year Coach LeRoy Wilson, referring to the Gauchos’ next opponent. “We’re just trying to teach football. At the big programs, you can coach. Here we’re just trying to teach the game one step at a time.”

The Gauchos have been inconsistent students. After beating Palisades in the second week, Narbonne lost two games in a row, and it would have been three if Gardena had converted a two-point conversion try with 1 minute 17 seconds left to play Friday.

Credit Gardena Coach Donald Threatt for playing to win. The Mohicans (0-5, 0-2) could have tied the score and ended a 12-game losing streak, now 13 games, by kicking an extra point.

Running back Marcos Vann scored Narbonne’s touchdowns on a 60-yard punt return and a one-yard run.

NEW COACH, SAME RESULT

Serra lost to host Montebello Cantwell, 23-6, Friday night in its first game under interim coach Charles Nash, who took over the program after Kevin Crawley was fired Thursday.

Despite the coaching shake-up, Serra’s problems continued on the field. The Cavaliers had five turnovers as they lost their third consecutive game, dropping their record to 1-4, 0-2 in the Camino Real League.

Nash offered no excuses.

“Our kids responded to a tough situation and played hard, but Cantwell outplayed us,” Nash said.

Serra running back Ricky Boyer, who did not suit up Friday because of an injured left knee, said players reacted in different ways to Crawley’s firing.

“The returning players are taking the coaching change very hard,” said Boyer, who played on the varsity team last season. “The new players have mixed emotions.”

KICKER WANTED

West Torrance Coach Kerry Crabb is being driven crazy by his team’s kicking game. Or lack of it.

A botched field goal cost the Warriors a victory for the second time this season Friday night, when Culver City blocked a 32-yard attempt with four seconds left to secure a 17-15 victory at West. The Warriors (3-2) had already missed two extra points.

“I don’t know what to do about the kicking game,” Crabb said. “We’ve worked and worked on it. It’s got us all worried.”

Three different West kickers have combined to make only three of 11 field-goal attempts. Jim Yates missed a 32-yard try with 1:03 remaining Sept. 17 in a 9-8 loss to Leuzinger.

Crabb thought he had solved the problem when Jim Lafferty kicked two field goals last week against Beverly Hills. But after kicking a 37-yard field goal in the first quarter Friday, Lafferty missed two conversions. Crabb decided to use Jason Cary to attempt the game-winning field goal, but his low kick was blocked.

“I can’t believe they blocked it,” Crabb said. “If anyone has an answer, please phone it in.”

SEE NO EVIL

Mira Costa Coach Don Morrow watches games from the tower above the field, leaving the on-field coaching to his assistants. “You can see better,” he explained.

So far, Morrow likes what he sees. Mira Costa gained 405 total yards and did not punt Friday night in its 34-7 victory over visiting North Torrance. The Mustangs (5-0) have outscored their opponents, 158-18.

Halfway through the regular season, the possibility of the Mustangs going 10-0 seems likely--all of their remaining games are against teams currently with losing records. But don’t tell that to Morrow or his players.

“In order to go 10-0, you have to win each game, each week on your schedule,” Morrow said.

Fullback-defensive lineman Phil Fonua, who rushed for 78 yards and two touchdowns, also gave the company line: “We’re just worried about next week. We’ll play one game at a time.”

Got that?

LOOKING AHEAD

Peninsula tailback James Durroh rushed for 256 yards and three touchdowns--his third consecutive 200-yard game--and the Panthers finished with 418 yards rushing, but Coach Gary Kimbrell wasn’t all that pleased after Friday’s 41-13 victory over visiting Beverly Hills.

Peninsula (5-0) lost four of five fumbles and was penalized numerous times, mistakes Kimbrell said the Panthers can’t afford when they visit Leuzinger in a Bay League opener Friday night.

“Leuzinger will run us right into the Pacific Ocean if we don’t play better,” Kimbrell said. “All the teams we’ve played so far are passing teams. We haven’t played a team that’s going to try to run it down our throats.”

Leuzinger (3-2) ran roughshod over winless Morningside, 45-6, despite the absence of several players who sat out the game after attending a funeral Tuesday for teammate Marvin Chincilla, who died Sept. 28 after being shot Sept. 18.

SAVING THE DAY

Redondo safety Roderick Summerall had two interceptions, the second one coming late in the game in his own end zone to preserve the Sea Hawks’ 26-20 victory over host Centennial.

SOUND ADVICE

Chadwick Coach Sid Grant was quick to commend his staff after Friday’s 26-14 victory over visiting Pasadena Poly in a Prep League opener.

It was the Dolphin assistants who suggested to Grant that he replace starting quarterback Steve Thorp with backup Ricco Washington after Poly led at halftime, 7-6.

Washington helped lead a second-half surge, passing for two touchdowns.

“Ricco came out and looked real good,” Grant said. “He’s looked real good during spring practice, during fall practice and now.”

Looking good as well was Chadwick running back Scooter Atkins, who rushed for 240 yards and two TDs in 39 carries. The Dolphins improved to 4-0.

IN QUOTES

West Torrance Coach Kerry Crabb, complaining about Culver City’s on-field celebration after the Centaurs secured a 17-15 victory: “I understand jubilant behavior. But I don’t think it’s right to have players from the other team grabbing their crotches and (gesturing to our fans). Then one of their coaches got on my case. I don’t have to take that.”

Redondo Coach Chris Hyduke on running back Bob Cracknell, who rushed for 261 yards and four touchdowns in a 26-20 victory over Centennial: “He’s faster and stronger this year. It’s amazing what happens to an athlete between his junior and senior year.”

Mira Costa Coach Don Morrow after his team improved to 5-0 with a 34-7 victory over North Torrance: “We have a good high school football team. I’m not saying we can play the Rams, Bishop Amat or Loyola, but we have kids who work hard every day and are talented. Most coaches in the area would love to have this team.”

Inglewood Coach Angelo Jackson after the Sentinels’ losing streak stretched to four games in a 42-26 defeat by South Torrance: “If I could figure out the reason we’ve been losing, I’d stop it.”

INJURIES

* Hawthorne wide receiver Justin Stallings, a preseason All-American, suffered a dislocated right kneecap in the first quarter against Torrance and was taken to the hospital. Hawthorne Coach Dan Robbins said Stallings, who also starts at strong safety, will be examined Monday by an orthopedist to determine the extent of the injury.

* San Pedro quarterback Chris Pappas sat out a 17-0 loss to Banning because of a sprained right knee suffered last week against Dorsey. Pappas’ status is week-to-week.

* Mira Costa linebacker Jade Byrd, one of the team’s leading tacklers, suffered a broken left leg in the third quarter against North Torrance and will miss the rest of the season.