CITY SECTION FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Gardena 14, Wilmington Banning 0--Behind a gritty defensive effort, the host Panthers (4-2, 2-0) put themselves in sole possession of first place in the Marine League by shutting out the Pilots at Gardena.

With A.J. Tuitele playing full time at running back, Banning (1-5, 1-1) was hoping for a repeat of last year when it began its run to the City Section title in league play. Tuitele gained 133 yards but Gardena recovered two fumbles and stopped the Pilots on four key fourth downs.

Defensive tackle Samuel Pomele and defensive end Matthew Mitchell won the battles up front, allowing linebackers Daniel Santos, Marlon Pennington, Tyrell Jones and Derek McKay to gain access to Tuitele and harass quarterback Damian Satete.

“We gave Tuitele a little ground but we got the stops when we needed them,” Gardena Coach Marshall Jones said. “I can’t say enough about the way our defense played. We’ve got some good athletes.”

Gardena quarterback LaFerrell Payne completed six of 13 passes for 93 yards. He lofted a 12-yard scoring pass to Marcus Saul with 2:12 left in the second quarter for the two-touchdown lead. One play before, Deandre Hughes keyed the drive with a 23-yard run.

Payne also sparked a 15-play, 81-yard drive earlier in the first half, completed three of four passes for 40 yards. On fourth-and-goal at the Banning one, Payne snuck into the end zone for the 7-0 lead.