Taft, Van Nuys Shoot for Top : Bid for Perfect Ending

So what if Taft High’s Nick DiPadova set the school single-season record for passing yards? Who cares if wide receiver Damon Coleman broke the season reception record?

San Pedro Coach Mike Walsh says he is more concerned with the Toreadors’ rushing attack.

“We’re going to have to shut down the running game,” Walsh said. “It’s not hard. It’s only about three plays, but they execute them very well.”

Sophomore Marquis Brignac and junior Sedric Hurns are solid, if unspectacular, tailbacks for Taft. But when second-seeded Taft (13-0) plays top-seeded San Pedro (13-0) tonight at 8 for the City Section 4-A Division championship at the Coliseum, they will be the focus of the Pirate defense.

The Toreadors and Pirates are each trying to win their first large-division title in the first matchup of undefeated large-division teams since 1966, when there was only one City Section division.

In 1991, Taft was 1-8. Now the Toreadors are the first Northwest Valley Conference team in the 4-A final since Granada Hills upset Carson in 1987.

San Pedro has enjoyed a similar turnaround behind Walsh, winning 3-A titles in 1992 and 1993.

San Pedro advanced to the 4-A title game for the first time last year and lost to Dorsey, 10-8, after a last-minute field-goal attempt was blocked.

The Pirates mirror the Toreadors in many ways. Both rely on speed at the skill positions. Taft has three of the top wide receivers in the section in Coleman, Keith Johnson and Ryan Long.

San Pedro counters with four potential Division I prospects in the secondary: cornerbacks Steve Smith and Anthony Banks, and safeties Jomar Butler and Erik Hansen. The Pirates have intercepted 21 passes.

Walsh is counting on the four seniors to control DiPadova, who has passed for 31 touchdowns and 2,570 yards, both school records, and Coleman, who has 62 receptions for 893 yards and 11 touchdowns.

San Pedro has been on a mission since last season’s title-game loss.

The Pirates allowed only 67 points in the regular season and 33 in three playoff games. Other than a last-second victory over Narbonne, the Pirates’ toughest test came in the second round of the playoffs against Kennedy.

San Pedro overcame 140 yards in penalties and a halftime deficit to defeat the Golden Cougars, 33-20, at cozy Daniels Field, one of the few City Section stadiums with stands on all four sides of the field.

“They’ve had the home-field advantage for weeks now,” said Kennedy Coach Bob Francola. “Their fans won’t be so close at the Coliseum.”

The Pirate offense is led by quarterback Melvin Yarbrough, a three-year varsity starter who has completed 113 of 183 passes for 1,774 yards and 21 touchdowns, with four interceptions.

Running back Rod Williams has rushed for 840 yards and 11 scores.