By Joe Snyder
Serra High’s flag football team finished its regular season with a 14-7 win over host Bishop Montgomery High in a Santa Fe League finale on Oct. 15 in Torrance.
The Lady Cavaliers, who are 8-4 overall after going 5-3 in league for a third-place finish, took a 7-0 halftime lead as Tyese Freeman scored on a 20-yard run.
With 3:15 left in the game, Freeman sprinted 45 yards for her second touchdown that gave Serra a 14-0 cushion.
The Knights cut the Cavaliers’ lead to seven points on a 45-yard pass from quarterback Meridian Smith to receiver Lynelle Sarpong with about two minutes remaining but Serra was able to hang on.
“We played a good all-around game,” Serra head coach Monique Adams said. “I’m proud of the team. We wanted this game.”
The Cavaliers began the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs at home against Windward Prep from Mar Vista last Tuesday. If they win, they will play Saturday at a site to be determined on Saturday at 5 p.m.
In other playoff games involving local teams, North Torrance, which finished second in the Pioneer League, hosted Gahr High of Cerritos in Division IV. In Division II, Torrance, which is 14-1, is at home against Rosary Academy from Fullerton. The Tartars won the Pioneer League at 8-0. Bishop Montgomery was at home against La Quinta.
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Carson hands GHS first loss
Last season, Gardena High’s football team defeated visiting Carson en route to its first Marine League championship since 1974.
This year, the Colts made sure that did not happen, again. Carson pulled away for a 23-7 win over the Panthers, handing them their first loss of the season, last Friday at Carson.
After Gardena tied the game at seven on a 35-yard interception return by Chase Johnson off Colt quarterback Chris Fields in the second quarter, Craig Walker gave Carson the lead for good by returning the pursuing kickoff 94 yards for the touchdown.
Shortly, Panther quarterback Isaiah Kim had his pass intercepted and that helped set up Carson increasing its lead to 20-7 on Fields’ 40-yard run.
The Colts, who are 3-0 in the Marine and 6-2 overall, added a fourth period field goal.
Gardena’s defense held Carson to just 97 total offensive yards in the second half.
Carson took a 7-0 first quarter lead on a 6-yard TD run by running back Kamryn Hurst, who was first team all-CIF Los Angeles City Section last season, along with the Panthers’ running back Xavier Grant.
The Colt defense did a very good job in holding Grant, who averaged about 160 yards rushing per game, to just 75 on 17 carries.
As of the press deadline, the Panthers, who are 7-1 overall and 1-1 in league, are not expected to play this week. Gardena was originally slated to host Harbor City Narbonne, but along with three other Marine teams, plan to forfeit to the Gauchos in protest of their recruiting violations. Gardena closes league at San Pedro on Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
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Serra ends road trips with ND win
Serra High’s football team will finally come home road weary after finishing its six-game road trip with a 34-18 victory over host Notre Dame High last Friday in Sherman Oaks.
For the Cavaliers, it will be a much deserving homecoming game against Bishop Amat High from La Puente starting at 7 p.m. on Friday.
In last Friday’s win over the Knights, Serra was led by quarterback Jimmy Butler who completed nine of 14 passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns. The Cavaliers’ leading receiver Jadyn Robinson who caught three passes for 108 yards and two TD’s. C.J. McBean had two receptions for 26 yards and one score.
Running back Daylawn Reed led Serra’s rushing attack with 118 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. Treyvon Hundley ran for 23 yards and one TD on six carries.
Reed sparked the Cavaliers’ defense with 10 tackles, followed by Duvay Williams with eight.
Bishop Amat is coming off a 48-0 loss to Chatsworth Sierra Canyon, one of the top teams in California. Serra will host the Trailblazers in a league showdown on Nov. 1.
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North blanks Peninsula in homecoming game
North Torrance High’s football team remained unbeaten in the Pioneer League after shutting out Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula 35-0 in its homecoming game last Friday.
The Saxons, who are 3-0 in league and 6-1 overall, wasted little time on the Panthers, who fell to 1-2 in Pioneer and 5-3 overall. Sophomore quarterback Boogie Anetema passed for four touchdowns and ran for another in the contest. North took a 21-0 halftime lead after scoring on a 5-yard run then completing a two-point conversion pass to wide receiver Felix Avillar.
The Boogie to Kingston Anetema combination got things started in the second half as the brother-duo were successful from 33 yards out for a 27-0 lead. Later in the third quarter, Boogie found Ethan Edwards from 58 yards out, then he completed a two-point conversion pass to Kingston to complete North’s scoring.
The Saxons should be heavy favorites as they visit a very young and inexperienced South Torrance team Friday at 7 p.m. The Spartans are 0-3 in league and 2-6 overall after a 52-14 loss to host Torrance last Friday. North will show down at home against the Tartars on Nov. 1.
In other games involving local teams, West Torrance rolled over host Beverly Hills 53-0 in the Ocean League and host Bishop Montgomery fell to San Pedro Mary Star of the Sea High 42-21 in the Camino Real League.
The Warriors visit Centennial High in Compton Friday at 6 p.m.
In community college football, El Camino increased its National Conference North record to 3-0 and overall record to 6-2 by rallying for a 27-26 victory over host College of the Canyons Saturday in Valencia.
Quarterback Hunter Herrera helped the Warriors, who trailed COC 17-7 after the first quarter, by completing 11 of 17 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He completed a 29-yard TD pass to running back Jaden Moore for the winning score with 3:06 left in the game.
Elijah Moore cinched the game for ECC with an interception off Canyons quarterback Logan Scarlett.
The Warriors come home to play Santa Barbara City College Saturday at 6 p.m.
