FOOTBALL FINALS : Pathfinders Lose Their Way

Fremont Coach Taja Rodisha did not offer any excuses for the way the Pathfinders played Friday against San Pedro.

“San Pedro outclassed us,” Rodisha said after the Pathfinders were humbled, 31-7, in the City Section 3-A Division finals at Gardena High. “They showed us tonight who was the best team in the City.”

Fremont had four turnovers in the second half. San Pedro, which won its second consecutive 3-A title, took advantage of the mistakes to outscore the Pathfinders, 24-0, in the second half.

Fremont quarterback William Yates, who has been the team’s Most Valuable Player, was pressing to make up for the difference in talent. Yates completed only four of 16 passes for 66 yards with two interceptions and rushed 12 times for 20 yards.

The Pathfinders (11-3) one consolation was that they were the only team to score against San Pedro (13-1) in the playoffs. Sophomore running back Dalante Walker scored on a two-yard run to give Fremont a 7-0 lead with 5:07 left in the first quarter. A roughing-the-punter penalty on fourth-and-15 was the key to the 19-play, 70-yard drive.

“The only breaks in the game we got, San Pedro gave us,” Rodisha said. “William Yates, Andre Johnson and George Jacobs--our three best players--did not have their best game.”