Narbonne tops Carson, 38-37, in a classic duel

Borrowing plays from the Boise State and Florida playbooks, Harbor City Narbonne was three for three on innovative two-point conversions, and that was the difference in pulling out a 38-37 victory in a battle of City Section title contenders on Friday night at Narbonne.

“A great game,” Narbonne quarterback Troy Williams said. “Great energy, great everything.”

And he was talking about players on both teams. This Marine League rivalry pushed players and coaches to the max, and the teams responded with an entertaining, suspense-filled second half, trading touchdowns and refusing to give in.

It came down to 1:08 left in the game. Carson quarterback Kevin McMahon scored on a one-yard plunge to cut it to 38-37 and Carson Coach Elijah Asante sent in his extra-point team. But the Colts were never able to get off the kick. There was a bad snap, and the Gauchos converged on holder Jerrod Moton. They recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the clock to improve to 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the Marine League.

It was a matchup of athletes and future college standouts. Narbonne’s Williams is second to none in the junior class in his ability to make plays. He passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns and ran in the go-ahead score from five yards with 3:02 left.

On the other side was Carson receiver Darreus Rogers, who caught six passes for 103 yards and one touchdown and was a marked man as the Gauchos tried to make sure he did not beat them.

“Rogers is their guy,” Narbonne Coach Manuel Douglas said. “Tonight, our guy was the better guy. When we needed to make plays, he made the plays.”

Douglas also pulled out of his bag of tricks three two-point conversion plays, one of which featured Tray Boone getting the snap from center and charging toward the middle as if he were going to run, then making a jump pass to Keishawn Bierria to tie the score at 24-24.

“We stole that from Florida,” said Narbonne offensive coordinator Tim Kaub.

Carson had a 24-16 lead in the third quarter after a Daniel Cortez eight-yard interception return for a touchdown. But Narbonne tied it, 24-24, on an A.J. Richardson 14-yard TD catch and the gimmick conversion.

The first half was full of displays of athleticism at its best. Carson came away with a 17-16 lead thanks to a leaping three-yard touchdown catch by Rogers as time expired in the second quarter. It was one of the few times Carson was able to isolate Rogers one-on-one, and he delivered.

Tony Ingram, a junior for Carson, returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown. He also had an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown nullified by a holding penalty.

Antoine Anderson caught a 23-yard TD pass from Williams and Boone had a four-yard scoring run.

Headed to USC

Offensive tackle Jordan Simmons of Encino Crespi announced that he has committed to USC. It gives the Trojans two of the top three offensive line prospects in the Southland. Max Tuerk of Santa Margarita earlier committed to USC. Kyle Murphy of San Clemente remains uncommitted.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com