HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Carson Took Its Knocks, Then Delivered Them : Preview: Colts have battled back from 0-2 start to earn rematch with Sylmar, the team that beat them in 1992 title game.

During its 0-2 start, the Carson High football team was adjusting to a new coach and trying to deal with old expectations.

Ten weeks and eight victories later, the Colts (8-4), who travel to play top-seeded Sylmar (11-1) in the City Section 4-A Division semifinals Friday night, have rallied around Coach David Williams and are trying to reach the City final for the 14th time in 16 years.

The game is a rematch of the 1992 division final, won by Sylmar, 17-0. Kickoff is at 7:30.

Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman expects a better game from Carson.

“It was a well-fought game,” Engilman said of the 1992 final. “But I don’t know if they were prepared to play us. They weren’t sharp.”

Carson, the Pacific League champion, opened the season with losses to Southern Section Division I power Bishop Amat, 14-0, and highly regarded San Diego Morse, 15-7. Williams, who was Carson’s B coach for four years before this season, knew it would take time for the Colts to eliminate mistakes and adjust to a new coaching staff.

“During the first two games, the coaches were learning and we gave the games away with turnovers,” Williams said.

Williams changed quarterbacks, replacing senior Tony Harvey with junior Ramon Rogers, who has passed for 1,667 yards and 14 touchdowns. Carson also uses senior quarterback Steve Faupusa, a better runner than Rogers. Faupusa has rushed for 255 yards and four TDs. Williams said both quarterbacks probably will play against Sylmar.

Sylmar, the Valley East League champion, relies on a running attack featuring tailback Tyrone Crenshaw, the 1992 4-A player of the year. Crenshaw has rushed for 418 yards and four TDs in the Spartans’ two playoff victories. He rushed for 114 yards and one TD against Carson in the 1992 championship game.

“He’s an explosive, breakaway runner who reads his blocks well,” Williams said of the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Crenshaw. “He knows how to play at the top level, but he’s not a one-man team.”

Complementing Crenshaw are running back Mark Reynosa, who rushed for 101 yards and two TDs in Sylmar’s 34-7 quarterfinal victory over Venice, and sophomore running back Durrell Price, who has averaged more than 10 yards a carry.

Carson, making its 24th consecutive appearance in the playoffs, had its best offensive game of the season in last week’s 61-14 quarterfinal victory over Garfield. Colt running backs Robert Johnson and John Houston rushed for more than 200 yards and five TDs.

Quarterback Rogers, who passed for 224 yards last week, utilizes an array of speedy receivers led by junior wingback Joseph Redmond and wideouts Harvey and Kendrick Wallace.

The Colt defense, led by linebackers Fa’avae Fa’avae and Myron Mailo and safety Pa’a Pepe, has giving up an average of 121 yards and 10 points a game.

Carson defensive coordinator James D’Amore said the Colts will have to be at their best to slow the Sylmar rushing attack.

“They’re fast, well-coached and they’ve got an excellent offensive line,” D’Amore said. “Can we stop them? I’d say yes if I could use some magic.”

Here is a look at other playoff games involving South Bay teams:

3-A DIVISION

Reseda (9-3) vs. San Pedro (11-1) at Daniels Field, 7:30 p.m. Friday--Top-seeded San Pedro has not given up a point in two playoff games in reaching the semifinals.

Cornerback Bryan Castaneda, who had two interceptions in last week’s 16-0 victory over Roosevelt, and strong safety Willie Birl, the leading tackler, anchor a San Pedro defense that has spent part of the week preparing for Reseda’s gadget plays.

Reseda, the West Valley League champion, beat Manual Arts, 25-14, last week. The Regents rely primarily on the run, but when they pass, it isn’t necessarily quarterback Reggie James who throws the ball.

“They present a lot of problems because of their trick plays,” San Pedro Coach Mike Walsh said. “Anybody can end up throwing the ball.”

When Reseda sticks to the basics, they give the ball to running backs Tyrone Francis, DeWayne Johnson and Travion Trammel. Francis rushed for 121 yards and two TDs last week.

SOUTHERN SECTION DIVISION III

Ventura Buena (9-3) at Hawthorne (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Friday--Second-seeded and defending champion Hawthorne will try to advance to the division final for the second consecutive year.

The Cougar defense came through last week in a 24-22 victory over Westlake and will be strengthened by the return of linebacker Ka’vika Purcell, who missed the first two playoff games because of a broken hand. Hawthorne has been keeping the ball on the ground in the playoffs, relying on tailback Eric Chaney and fullback Kalisi Moala.

Buena, tri-champion of the Channel League, advanced to the semifinals with a 28-27 overtime victory over West Covina. The Bulldogs like to run the ball behind a big offensive line that starts five seniors.

Tailback George Keiaho rushed for 309 yards and a TD last week. A four-year varsity starter, Keiaho has rushed for 6,482 yards in his prep career, including 2,145 yards and 27 TDs this season despite missing three games because of injuries.

DIVISION VII

Mira Costa (11-1) vs. La Palma Kennedy (11-1) at Anaheim Western High, 7:30 p.m. Saturday--Mira Costa is doing it with defense, although the Mustangs were fortunate to beat Lompoc, 15-8, last week. Lompoc twice failed to complete fourth-down passes deep in Mira Costa territory late in the game.

The Mustang offense relies on tailback Ronnie Hand, the team’s leading rusher, and fullback Phil Fonua, who is effective in short-yardage situations. Fonua scored two TDs against Lompoc, one on a screen pass, a play that has worked well for Mira Costa.

Second-seeded Kennedy, the Garden Grove League champion, defeated previously unbeaten Montclair Prep, 28-7, last week.

The Fighting Irish, who have scored more than 23 points in all but two games, are led by senior running back Charlie Marino, who rushed for 111 yards and three TDs against Montclair Prep. Marino showed his versatility by completing a 21-yard TD pass on an option play. Wideout Wes Morris is Kennedy’s top receiver.

The Fighting Irish defense is led by linebackers Ryan Lemberger and Randy Ellison.

EIGHT-MAN SMALL DIVISION

Masada (7-5) vs. Bloomington Christian (11-1) at Bloomington High, 7:30 p.m., Friday--Top-seeded Bloomington Christian, which lost in the 1992 division final to Cal Lutheran, expected to be playing in the championship game again. Masada, which lost three of its final four regular-season games, has been the surprise of the Eight-Man playoffs.

“I’ve never seen so much excitement in all my days here,” Masada Coach Ed Collins said.

Masada entered the playoffs 4-5, but after three consecutive come-from-behind victories, is on the verge of its first championship. Masada relies on running backs Glenn Gates and Reggie Williams, who combined to rush for 224 yards and two TDs last week in a 26-22 victory over Shandon.

Bloomington Christian’s only loss was to South Bay Lutheran, 26-20, in the third week of the season. Senior running back Brandon Davis has rushed for 2,200 yards and 43 touchdowns. Bloomington Christian hasn’t needed to pass much in the playoffs, with only 13 attempts in its three victories.