Carson Overcomes, Wins City 4-A Title : Prep football: Once-embattled Colts score early and often against Dorsey in dominating 26-0 victory for ninth championship in a record 18 appearances.

After starting its season with two losses and its third football coach in four years, Carson High completed a turnaround Saturday afternoon by defeating Dorsey, 26-0, in the City Section Division 4-A championship game.

Before 3,000 rain-soaked fans at El Camino College, the Colts (10-4) won their ninth City title in a record 18 appearances and their first since 1990.

The game was never in doubt as Carson scored on its first possession and added two touchdowns in the second quarter.

The victory was particularly gratifying for first-year Coach David Williams. He took over a team that was embarrassed by Sylmar, 17-0, in last year’s 4-A championship game and that had trouble finding stability since longtime coach Gene Vollnogle retired in 1990.

Making matters worse, Carson opened the season with nonconference losses to La Puente Bishop Amat and San Diego Morse.

“I never let all of the talk bother me,” said Williams, a former Dorsey assistant. “People that know and understand football saw we played tough even in losses. Today’s win is a nice redemption, though.”

Carson’s season improved when it settled its quarterback situation two months ago. Williams decided to alternate senior Steve Faupusa and junior Ramon Rogers each half.

Faupusa started Saturday’s game and directed the Colts on an impressive 12-play drive in which he accounted for 24 of the 77 yards. Robert Johnson’s 22-yard run up the middle gave Carson a 6-0 lead.

Dorsey (10-4), which won 4-A titles in 1989 and ‘91, committed four turnovers that resulted in two Carson touchdowns.

The first came after a fumble by Juan DePaz from a bad snap on a punt. A swarm of Carson defenders recovered the ball on the Dons’ 23-yard line. Five plays later, senior John Houston scored on a two-yard run.

The next came as time expired in the first half. Trailing, 12-0, Dorsey faced third and goal from the Carson eight-yard line when Che Johnson fumbled a pass from Antwain Wilson on his own five. Pa’a Pepe, a defensive back, recovered the loose ball and ran 95 yards for a touchdown and an 18-0 halftime lead.

“That definitely was the turning point,” said Pepe, who also ran for a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. “I’m not sure they could have come back from that anyway, but after the touchdown they really had their heads down for a long time.”

Dorsey nearly scored again in the third quarter, but Wilson’s pass into the end zone was intercepted by Daks Blanks.

“We probably ran more plays today than they did, but when we had our chances, we could not punch it in,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “It was a frustrating game because we just never really got going.”

Johnson, who finished with 120 yards rushing, set up the Colts’ final touchdown after breaking loose for a 76-yard run in the fourth quarter. Two plays later, Rogers scored on a two-yard run.

The game was marred by a steady rain and heavy winds. Neither team generated much offense, with Dorsey rushing for 84 yards in 40 carries and completing only two of seven passes for eight yards.

Carson fared better on the ground with 182 yards in 30 carries. It attempted only one pass.