Taft’s Bad Memories Vanish in 39-6 Win

It took just a momentary flashback to last season, but it was enough to jar forgotten memories for Taft High.

Last year, the Toreadors gave up five first-half touchdowns in a lopsided loss to Narbonne in the the first round of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Against Carson Friday night, the Toreadors gave up one--and that was it.

Taft’s defense dominated Carson and a near-flawless passing game led the second-seeded Toreadors to a 39-6 victory in a City 4-A first-round playoff game at Taft.

Taft (11-0) advanced to a quarterfinal game on Wednesday.

Carson (4-7), from the powerful Southern Pacific Conference, struck early, driving 62 yards in five plays and taking a 6-0 lead on a five-yard run by tailback Patrick McCall.

“We were out of sync the first drive,” said Toreador linebacker Tyler Brennan. “We sat down and discussed what we had to do to stop them. It wasn’t hard, they only had three plays.”

Brennan and Leo Haywood stuffed the middle. Outside linebacker Donte Morgan and the secondary came up to stop the outside plays and Carson was shut down.

McCall, who gained 57 yards in the opening drive, was held to 96 yards in 18 carries. The Colts, seeded 15th, were held to 145 yards rushing.

With the running game bogged down following a back injury to tailback Marquis Brignac in the first quarter, Taft quarterback Nick DiPadova threw for a career-high 371 yards and four touchdowns, completing 22 of 33 passes.

Taft’s Damon Coleman caught seven passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, Keith Johnson caught seven for 111 yards and two scores and Ryan Long had six receptions for 85 yards.