By Joe Snyder
After a 1-4 record in a tough non-league schedule, Gardena High’s football team traveled to Banning High in Wilmington, which started the season well by winning its first four games before lopsided losses to strong CIF-Southern Section schools, Palos Verdes and Redondo.
The Panthers, though, were impressive against the shorthanded Pilots, who played without 10 players who were all injured, in a 29-6 Marine League opening victory.
The Panthers began their scoring with just five seconds left in the first quarter when senior quarterback Kevin Marinez hit wide receiver Asani Bell for a 43-yard touchdown pass. Martinez ran the ball in for a two-point conversion giving Gardena (2-4 overall and 1-0 in league) an 8-0 lead.
In the second period, Martinez sprinted 64 yards to the Banning 3-yard line, then, a few plays later, scored on a one-yard sneaker making it 15-0 Panthers with 6:08 remaining before halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Gardena took advantage of a Pilot roughing the passer penalty to get good field position. Martinez scored his second TD on a one-yard sneaker giving the Panthers a 21-0 lead with 10:59 to go in the game.
The Pilots scored their only six points on a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Noa Tuvalu to wide receiver Ma’Kyih Brown with 6:15 remaining in the contest. Banning, then, had a successful onside kick Gardena’s defense was able to hold them.
Shortly after a brief scuffle between the Panther and Pilot players, that resulted in ejection of several players (most from Banning), the game resumed and Gardena completed its scoring on a 5-yard TD pass from Martinez to wide receiver Braylon Williams. Hasson Williams scored the two-point conversion on a run.
Martinez threw for two touchdowns and scored two.
The Panthers return home for their critical second league game against Carson today at 4 p.m. This is the Colts’ league opener.
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Nationally-ranked Sierra Canyon shuts down Serra
Serra High’s football team knew what it was in for in its Mission League opener against nationally ranked Sierra Canyon last Friday night in Chatsworth.
The Trailblazers, who are currently rated eighth in the United States by MaxPreps, showed why they were that high, especially on defense. Their defense recorded a so-called “no first downer” and the Cavaliers failed to complete a pass. That might be equivalent to a baseball perfect game.
Serra was routed 30-0.
The Cavs’ defense played well allowing just three field goals by kicker Carter Sobol in the first half and only one offensive touchdown overall. The Trailblazers scored on interception returns by Myles Baker and Havon Finley. The only TD of the game was scored by D’Markus Barnes on a 3-yard run.
The game, however, had an incident late in the fourth quarter. It started when several Sierra Canyon players fell in unison pretending they had cramps. Several Serra players were faced with cramps during the game. It resulted in the Serra coaching staff charging to the middle of the field voicing their displeasure of what happened. Following the game, head Trailblazer coach John Ellinhouse met with Cavalier coaches and their athletic director.
Serra, which is 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league, will be in a showcase at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood against Loyola today at 5 p.m. Also, at So Fi Stadium today is expected to be a Bay League showdown between Lawndale Leuzinger and Palos Verdes beginning at 8:30 p.m. Last Friday, the Olympians recorded a key 43-32 win over Inglewood, while the Sea Kings rolled over Culver City 48-7.
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Samo High tops North; Torrance rallies past Redondo
North Torrance High’s football team was upset by host Santa Monica 21-13 in their Pioneer League opener last Friday.
Despite the loss, wide receiver King Shelton caught six passes for 100 yards and one touchdown.
Quarterback Ethan Edwards completed 12 of 24 passes for 138 yards and one TD.
The Saxons return home to face Redondo in their second league game Friday at 7 p.m.
Torrance began Pioneer play by coming from behind to top host Redondo 34-24 last Friday.
Down 24-16 midway in the third quarter, the Tartars, who are 6-0 overall, finished the game with an 18-0 run. Torrance tied the game at 24 late in the third period when quarterback Vaughn Reinart threw a 50-yard screen touchdown pass to wide receiver Elias Emerson, then added a two-point conversion.
The Tartars got the lead for good with 8:34 left in the game on an 18-yard TD pass from starting quarterback Gibson Turner to wide receiver Issac Moore. Torrance added a field goal to put the game away.
Turner finished the game by throwing three touchdown passes.
The Sea Hawks, who fell to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in league, led most of the first half but the Tartars took a 16-14 lead at halftime. A 28-yard field goal by Bryson Fowler and a one-yard quarterback sneak from Cole Leinart gave Redondo a 24-16 lead with 4:56 left in the third quarter.
The Tartars host Peninsula High from Rolling Hills Estates Friday at 7 p.m. The Panthers picked up their first win in their league opener by outlasting host South Torrance 35-34 last Friday.
