Victory Bittersweet for Grieving Carson

The elation that usually accompanies a victory was predictably absent Thursday night after Carson High defeated Locke, 36-20, at Gardena High.

For Carson players, coaches, administrators and fans, the nonleague game provided a short respite from the sadness that has hung over the program since last weekend when senior cornerback Dominick Batiste was shot to death. Batiste was riding in a car with three teammates, returning from a burger run a few hours after Carson defeated Fontana A.B. Miller, when another car sprayed the player’s vehicle with bullets.

No arrests have been made.

“It’s been a tough week, but we’re going to use Dominick’s memory for the rest of the season,” Carson quarterback Justin Cooper said after the victory. “Our slogan is, ‘The Reason for the Season.’ ”

James Robinson gained 110 yards in 14 carries and scored three touchdowns for defending City Section champion Carson (3-2), which led, 24-6, at halftime.

Before kickoff, the crowd observed a moment of silence in honor of Batiste. Carson captains also carried Batiste’s helmet with them for the coin flip.

Carson players, who wore a “28” sticker on their helmets as another tribute to Batiste, were caught flat-footed on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Antonio Burrell connected with Richard Marshall on an 84-yard touchdown pass play for Locke (2-3).

After that, however, it was all Carson.

The Colts scored 24 unanswered points on a 22-yard field goal by Eder Gonzalez, 26- and six-yard touchdown runs by Robinson and a spectacular freelance play that involved running back Trevion Stephens and Cooper.

On second-and-three from the Carson 42, Stephens took a handoff, ran to the left then cut back against the grain toward the right sideline. Just as he was about to be tackled, he lateraled the ball to Cooper, who ran the remaining 50 yards for a 24-6 halftime lead.

The Colts clinched the victory when Robinson scored on a two-yard run with 9:07 left and Dont’e North returned a fumble 26 yards for a touchdown 15 seconds later to put Carson ahead, 36-12.

Stephens said the victory was bittersweet because today Carson’s players will attend Batiste’s funeral.

“We played hard for Dominick,” Stephens said. “He’s going to be in our hearts the whole season.”