HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : CITY SECTION 3-A DIVISION : Turnovers Hurt Fremont, San Pedro Wins

San Pedro capitalized on four second-half turnovers to beat Fremont, 31-7, and win its second consecutive City Section 3-A Division title Friday night at Gardena High.

San Pedro quarterback Chris Pappas scored on a one-yard run to give the Pirates a 14-7 lead with 2:13 to play in the third quarter.

Bryan Castaneda intercepted a pass by Fremont quarterback William Yates to set up the touchdown. It was Castaneda’s eighth interception of the season.

Anthony Williams recovered a fumble after three Fremont players failed to pick up the ensuing kickoff. Mike DiMassa kicked a 27-yard field goal to put the Pirates ahead, 17-7.

In the fourth quarter, Mike Lennox intercepted a pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown.

San Pedro (13-1) scored again on Jeff Williams’ three-yard run three plays after Yates fumbled.

Yates, one of the top quarterbacks in the City, completed four of 16 passes for 66 yards with two interceptions and rushed 12 times for 20 yards.

Pappas completed seven of 13 passes for 128 yards. The Pirates have a 20-0 record with Pappas starting at quarterback. Fremont finished the season 11-3.

Fremont sophomore Dalante Walker opened the scoring with a two-yard run. A roughing-the-punter call on fourth and 15 at the Fremont 25 kept the drive going. Walker’s touchdown was the only score San Pedro gave up in four playoff games.

When San Pedro got the ball, the Pirates drove 63 yards to the Fremont two, but Pappas fumbled the snap and Pathfinder linebacker Alex Puryear recovered.

The Pirates, however, got the ball back two plays later when Lennox stripped the ball out of Yates’ hands. San Pedro running back Lindsey Moore scored after three consecutive runs of two yards to tie the score at 7-7.

San Pedro had a chance to take the lead before halftime, but DiMassa missed a 27-yard field-goal attempt with 59 seconds left.