Too Little, Too Late as Carson Falls, 18-13

Carson High had its opportunities for victory against Dorsey Thursday night, but the Colts were unable to take advantage in a 18-13 Southern Pacific Conference loss at Gardena High.

Trailing, 18-6, Carson quarterback Ramon Rogers scrambled for a 13-yard touchdown and Rafael Mares’ extra point brought the Colts within 18-13 with 2 minutes 23 seconds to play.

The Dons recovered the on-side kick, but Carson regained possession with 1:09 left at the Colt 38-yard line.

Rogers connected with Tony Harvey on a 25-yard pass to move the ball to the Dorsey 25-yard line with 39 seconds left. Rogers had four consecutive incomplete passes, including two in the end zone, and Dorsey took possession with 21 seconds left and ran out the clock.

The victory was Dorsey’s first over the Colts since the 1989 City Section 4-A Division championship game. Dorsey, which improved to 5-2 and 2-2 in conference play, lost to Carson, 27-7, in 1992.

The defeat snapped a four-game winning streak for Carson (4-3, 3-1).

“I don’t consider it an upset,” Dorsey running back Che Johnson said. “We’ve had mental lapses and haven’t played to our physical abilities. We’re an emotional team and tonight we put it all together.”

Trailing 6-2, Johnson, who rushed for a team-high 30 yards, scored on a 69-yard punt return and Antwain Wilson ran in for a two-point the conversion to give Dorsey a 10-6 lead with 9:50 to play.

Dorsey defensive back Robert Guillory intercepted a pass from Rogers on Carson’s next possession at the Don four-yard line and returned it to the Dorsey 31.

A face-mask penalty and a personal foul by Carson on the return moved the ball to the Carson 31. On the next play, Brown connected with Johnson on a 31-yard touchdown pass with 6:28 left.

Johnson’s two-point conversion increased the lead to 18-6.

Rogers completed six of 25 passes for 58 yards and John Houston had 47 yards in 12 carries for Carson.

“We came back strong in the end, but we made a lot of mistakes,” Houston said. “We just weren’t concentrating.”

Dorsey managed only 15 first-half yards and were outgained, 196-85, and lost three fumbles. Dorsey quarterback Roderick Brown completed only two of five passes for 39 yards.

“We didn’t play as well as we’re capable, but we definitely have paid our dues,” Dorsey senior linebacker E.Z. Anderson said. “We came around and finally beat Carson. I’ve been waiting for this for three years.”