By Joe Snyder
Gardena High’s football team is undefeated in its first four games after rolling over Los Angeles-Watts Jordan High 41-12 last Friday at Gardena.
The Panthers were led by the passing combination of quarterback Torey Pierce and wide receiver Keyshaun Hood who accounted for five of their six touchdowns.
Xavier Grant scored Garde- na’s first TD on a 3-yard run.
After the Bulldogs cut the Panthers’ lead to 7-6 on Amauiri Powns’ 35-yard scoring run, Pierce hit his first of three touchdown passes to Hood for a 14-6 advantage. Pierce’s TD run gave Gardena a 21-6 halftime lead.
The Panthers continued to pull away from there outscoring Jordan 21-6 in the second half.
Gardena stays home to face former Marine League rival Washington High from South L.A. Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Generals are currently in the Crosstown League.
In another key non-league game, host West Torrance improved to 2-1 by holding off Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula High 28-21 last Friday.
The Warriors surged to a 28-0 halftime lead but saw the Panthers score three unanswered touchdowns in the second half. West’s defense was able to hold off Peninsula from there.
West stays home but will have a challenge against one of the top Bay League teams in Manhattan Beach Mira Costa Friday at 7 p.m. Last Friday, the Mustangs rolled over always tough Newhall Hart 36-10.
At Bishop Montgomery in Torrance last Friday, the Knights battled to a 35-35 tie with Maranatha High from Pasadena.
Quarterback Diego Rodriguez completed 13 of 35 passes for 212 yards and four touchdowns. Justin Austin caught two of those passes for 83 yards and two TD’s. Dominic Marchiondo had eight receptions for 67 yards and one touchdown.
Torrance High gave CIF-L.A. City Section power San Pedro a scare but the Pirates needed just a fourth quarter field goal to defeat the Tartars 3-0 in the rain at Zamperini Field.
Torrance (1-3) visits Garden Grove High Friday at 7 p.m.
Carson picked up its first win of the season by shutting out Paramount 38-0 last Friday at L.A. Harbor College.
The Colts will host Hamilton High at Harbor College Friday at 7:30 p.m.
After losing its first game at South Torrance 34-0 on Sept. 8, Narbonne bounced back to improve to 3-1 with a 48-0 thrash- ing of host Hawkins High last Friday in the L.A.-Crenshaw District.
The Gauchos come home to face El Camino Real High from Woodland Hills Friday at 7 p.m.
At South Torrance High last Thursday, the Spartans lost their first game against two wins to Studio City Harvard-Westlake 21-0.
South visits Peninsula High Friday at 4:30 p.m.
