Carson Beats Granada Hills

For three quarters, Granada Hills High’s passing attack left Carson defensive backs confused.

“They must have looked a lot at our films and found our weaknesses,” Carson safety Josh Ramirez said.

Using a five-receiver, no-back formation, Granada Hills and quarterback Jason Winn were in position with 10 minutes left to score the go-ahead touchdown and inflict a possible fatal blow on the top-seeded Colts.

But Ramirez intercepted a pass by Winn pass on the Carson two-yard line, changing the game and enabling the Colts (10-2) to come away with a 28-17 victory over the Highlanders Wednesday night in a City Championship quarterfinal game at Veterans Stadium.

The score was tied, 14-14, but Carson took the opening possession of the second half and moved 66 yards on eight plays--all runs. The huge Colt offensive line started dominating the Highlanders, and James Robinson’s 15-yard run gave Carson a 21-14 lead.

Carson finished with 356 yards rushing.

San Pedro 28, Franklin 21--Franklin scored twice in the final 1:31 but the comeback fell short when Joe Montoya of San Pedro intercepted a pass by Daniel Gonzalez at the San Pedro seven with 31 seconds left to seal the victory at Franklin, handing the Panthers their first loss.

The Pirates (10-2) had extended a 14-7 halftime lead with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Nathan Poindexter returned an interception 103 yards for a score with 6:49 remaining in the third. Then, with 3:59 left in the third, Joey Plancich caught a 28-yard pass from quarterback Gustavo Navarro for a 28-7 lead.

Trailing by 21, the Panthers (11-1) scored on a one-yard pass from Gonzalez to Carlos Rodriguez with 1:31 left. Rodriguez then recovered an onside kick and Franklin scored on a 16-yard halfback option pass from Charlie Preciado to Rodriguez with one minute left.

Crenshaw 42, Kennedy 21--Crenshaw (10-2, seeded No. 2, rushed for 330 yards and sacked Kennedy quarterback Ruben Zaragoza eight times en route to the victory at Fremont High.

In the center of the maelstrom at fullback and inside linebacker was Crenshaw’s Lee Webb, a 6-foot, 237-pound senior who dominated the game.

On offense, he rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns. When Kennedy (8-4) tightened its defense to stop him, it opened the outside for tailback Terrance Whitehead, who had 129 yards and three touchdowns.

INVITATIONAL

Banning 56, Marshall 13--Banning (7-4) led 21-13 midway through the third quarter before intercepting three passes, including one that was returned 65 yards for a touchdown by Kifi Sue, en route to the victory at Banning.

Raymond Grajeda gained 139 yards in 21 carries and scored a touchdown, Sal Guerrero gained 89 yards and scored three touchdowns and Rayshawn Dukes gained 104 yards and scored twice for Banning.

Palisades 49, Chatsworth 42--David Koral connected with Reggie Zeigler on a 30-yard touchdown pass play with six seconds left to give the Dolphins the victory at Palisades.

The touchdown capped a 66-yard, six-play drive that began after Chatsworth tied the score on a 63-yard touchdown run by Samuel Wesley with 56 seconds left.

Koral completed 22 of 29 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns. Geoff McArthur caught nine passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns for Palisades (10-2).

Gardena 40, Monroe 28--Byron Green ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 31-yard pass from Roy Otis for another score and the Panther defense and special teams added touchdowns at Gardena.

Reseda 30, South Gate 14--The Regents (9-3) rolled up 356 total yards, 272 on the ground, at Reseda.

Eddie Robinson rushed for 103 yards in 19 carries.