By Joe Snyder
After going unbeaten in six non-league games, Gardena High’s football team was thrown into the real world of Marine League football by falling to 0-2.
After a narrow 22-21 home loss to Narbonne on Sept. 30, the Panthers were in for even tougher things as they visited Marine power San Pedro, which is also the top ranked team in the CIF-Los Angeles City Section by Maxpreps, last Friday. The Pirates proved why they are an L.A. City Section powerbyoverpoweringGardena56-14.
San Pedro had little trouble with the Panthers in taking a 42-0 third quarter lead before Gardena’s Johann Wallace scored his first of two touchdowns on a 55-yard reception from quarterback Isaiah Kim. After San Pedro (7-0) took a 49-7 lead, Wallace returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.
The Pirates were led by running back Petero Enelko, who ran for two TDs and Luka Mardesich who had a 35-yard scoring reception. Matt Lecona scored San Pe- dro’s first touchdown on a 10-yard reception.
The Panthers will have a bye week hoping to regroup before hosting Banning High from Wilmington on Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
In another Marine League game, Carson bounced back from its 40-14 loss to traditional rival Banning on Sept. 30 by routing Narbonne 46-7 last Friday at L.A. Harbor College.
The Colts wasted little time on the Gauchos, who came off a thrilling 22-21 win at Gardena a week earlier, as they scored their first touchdown when quarterback Iakogo handed off to wide receiver Nazarus Williams who threw the ball to Gavin Gore just 20 seconds into the game.
As a defensive back, Williams had three interceptions with one going for a TD. Running back Jerry Misialefua rushed for 116 yards and one touchdown.
Narbonne’s only score came on the last play of the first half on a 51-yard pass from quarterback Ryan Corley to running back Mark Iheanachor.
Carson will stay at Harbor Col- lege to face San Pedro, while the Gauchos host Banning Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Torrance evened its Pioneer League to 1-1 and is 2-5 overall after topping host El Segundo 35- 21 last Friday.
The Tartars visit North Torrance Friday at 7 p.m.
West is 1-1 in league and 4-3 overall after losing to Lawndale 26-0 last Friday at Hawthorne High.
The Warriors host El Segundo in their homecoming game Friday at 7 p.m.
