Carson Ends 5-Year Drought With 10th City Championship

It had been five seasons since Carson High last appeared in the City Section football final, the longest drought in school history.

The Colts made the most of their opportunity by defeating Crenshaw, 20-10, Friday night before an estimated 6,000 at the Coliseum.

Top-seeded Carson (12-2), under first-year Coach John Aguirre, won its 10th championship, its first since 1993 when the Colts defeated Dorsey, 26-0.

Carson had reached the final with a powerful running game, but the Colts scored what proved to be the winning touchdown with a pass.

Carson quarterback Justin Cooper completed only three of 12 passes for 53 yards. However, his 29-yard connection with Michael Smith with 10:03 left concluded a nine-play, 63-yard drive and gave Carson a 14-10 lead it would not relinquish.

The Colts added an insurance touchdown with 5:13 left on a five-yard run by James Robinson.

The victory helped Carson avenge an 18-7 loss to Crenshaw in week two. The Colts’ only other loss came against Diamond Bar.

CITY INVITATIONAL

Wilmington Banning High (9-4) overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Gardena, 40-32, in the Invitational title game at the Coliseum.

Gardena finished 9-4-1.

DIVISION II

Diamond Bar 17, Upland 14--Senior running back Jason Wright scored on five-yard run with 19 seconds remaining as Diamond Bar High won its second consecutive Southern Section Division II championship with a victory over Upland at Cal State Fullerton.

But the game wasn’t without controversy.

During the game-winning drive, Diamond Bar was the recipient of a fifth down after confusion ensued following a holding penalty on a third down.

On what should have been fourth down after Upland (12-2) declined the penalty, Diamond Bar quarterback Ryan Maine threw an incomplete pass, but the down markers were never changed.

Upland Coach Tim Salter argued the point with officials, but they allowed the Brahmas an extra play, which Maine used to complete a fourth-and-11 pass to Aric Williams to sustain the drive at the Upland 45.

DIVISION V

Rancho Cucamonga 30, Menifee Paloma Valley 22--The Cougars (11-3) raced to a 27-0 early in the third quarter, then survived three late touchdowns by the Wildcats at Chaffey College.

DIVISION VI

Newport Harbor 19, Irvine 18--Unbeaten Newport Harbor (13-0-1), which trailed for the first three quarters, scored on a fumble recovery with 10:15 to play and held on for a thrilling victory over Irvine before 7,000 at Orange Coast College.

DIVISION IX

La Verne Bonita 24, Brea Olinda 14--Running back DeAndre Belin rushed for 183 yards in 29 carries, scoring three touchdowns to lead the Bearcats to the championship at Mt. San Antonio College.

DIVISION X

Paso Robles 24, Monrovia 10--Senior running back Andre Nichelson rushed for 200 yards in 29 carries and scored two touchdowns as the Bearcats (12-2) won their second consecutive division title.