Carson defeats Mater Dei for the second year in a row, 14-10

With 11 City Section championships, Carson’s football tradition is rich and plentiful, but there are people who still become surprised when the Colts take down a top Southern Section program.

The Colts don’t mind playing the role of underdog. For the second consecutive season, they knocked off Santa Ana Mater Dei, winning, 14-10, on Saturday night at Santa Ana Stadium in a dominating performance.

“It was a great win for the City Section,” first-year Coach Elijah Asante said. “No one respects the City.”

Carson’s defense sacked USC-bound Max Wittek four times. Wittek completed seven of 17 passes for 62 yards. The Monarchs were hurt by the absence of receiver Victor Blackwell, a USC commit who left the game in the second quarter because of a shoulder injury. Without Blackwell, Mater Dei had no big-play weapon.

Mater Dei was driving late in the game but lost the ball on a fumble with 1:48 left. Tracy Harris recovered the ball on the Carson 20, and the Colts ran out the clock.

Carson quarterback Justin Alo completed 11 of 22 passes for 117 yards and ran for 38 yards. He guided the Colts on an 80-yard drive on their opening possession, with Myles Johnson scoring on an 11-yard run.

Mater Dei tied the score in the second quarter on a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown by Glen Raphael. But Dion Willis then gave Carson the lead for good, returning the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

Carson nose tackle Justin Smith was trouble all night for a Mater Dei offensive line that struggled protecting Wittek. The only Mater Dei points on offense came on a 23-yard field goal by Eric Goita. Last season, Mater Dei lost to Carson, 14-2.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com