Carson Wins Rematch, 30-20

Carson continued a bewildering trend in the City Section championship game, soundly defeating Venice, 30-20, to win its 11th section title Friday night.

Carson’s performance reinforced the notion that it is tough to defeat a strong team twice. Venice, which defeated Carson, 34-14, in a season opener, became the sixth team in seven years to lose in a title-game rematch. Venice (13-1) rolled through the regular season undefeated and had pummeled three playoff opponents but met its match in its first-ever championship game.

“They scouted us real well,” said Venice running back Byron Ellis. “They just came out and played the hardest. They just outplayed us.”

Carson got a brilliant performance by quarterback Bo Napoleon, then rode its defense in the second half. After taking a 24-14 lead on a 23-yard field goal by Javier Vera, the Colts (11-3) extended their advantage in the third quarter with the game’s decisive play.

Venice was forced to punt deep in its own territory after Justin Wilson pressured Venice quarterback Beau Davis into a 17-yard loss and an illegal downing of the ball. On the next play, Sinapati Uiagalelei blocked Darko Dogic’s punt and Lamar Brumfield pounced on the ball in the end zone for a 30-14 lead.

Napoleon completed eight of 15 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown for Carson. Robert Miller rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown in 18 carries.

Davis completed 14 of 23 passes for 178 yards for Venice, but was intercepted twice.

Carson had the ball just four times in the first half, but scored on its first three drives.

After forcing a punt on Venice’s opening possession, Carson surprised the Gondoliers by going to the air. Napoleon completed his first pass to favorite target Jordan Fata for 26 yards and later hit Antwan Mahaley for 13 more. Fullback Phillip Knight finished the eight-play, 74-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.

“We wanted to mix things up,” Carson Coach John Aguirre said. “Different sets, formations ... we wanted to do a lot of different things to stymie them.”

Venice only had the ball for 5 minutes 39 seconds in the opening half but it was enough to show their explosiveness. The Gondoliers’ only drive resulted in a one-yard scoring run by Ellis but kicker Dogic’s extra point was blocked.

Miller gave Carson a 14-6 lead with an eight-yard touchdown run, but Venice quickly bounced back on a stellar 57-yard scoring reception by Gerold Rodriguez. The senior receiver slipped three tackles before running across the field and diving inside the left marker.

Venice got the conversion when Davis connected with Ryan Graves.

Carson went back to Fata, who gave the Colts the halftime lead with a 17-yard touchdown pass.

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L.A. Fremont 31, Locke 14 -- Quarterback Curtis Johnson ran for a touchdown and passed for another and Andre Bouvay ran for 129 yards and a touchdown for the Pathfinders (10-3-1) in the Invitational divisoin final.