Long Beach Poly Can't Handle Santa Margarita's Johnny Stanton

Story by L.T.Willis

Long Beach Poly offense takes the field. Photos by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.



Of all the teams in the playoffs Santa Margarita is playing the best football at the right time. After losing to Mater Dei early in the season the Eagles went on rampage beaten everyone who would stand in their way. The same thing has happen again after losing to Servite in overtime 49-42 the Eagles have been on fire on offense and defense.The Eagles have one thing on their mind and that is to win the Pac 5 Championship. Another foe stood in the way Long Beach Poly Jackrabbits who was on a mission themselves so something had to give.

After Long Beach Poly scored first Santa Margarita's defense begin to
really clamp down on the Jackrabbits offense.



Long Beach Poly got on the board first when Mathew Matia caught a 47 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nicholas Pope to take a 6-0 lead after the 2 point conversion failed. The Eagles came back to the tie the game when Johnny Stanton scored on 3 yard run to take the lead 7-6. In the second quarter Johnny Stanton continue where he left off and scored this time on a 8 yard run and the Eagles lead 14-6. The Jackrabbits' defense must not have seen the film on Johnny Stanton and didn't realize how fast Johnny really is after he shook several defenders scored on a 18 yard touchdown run to push their lead up to 21-6.

The Eagles # 4 Johnny Stanton has scored
three touchdowns in the first half.



Santa Margarita's head coach Harry
Welch gives his defense a thumbs
up in the first half.

 



The Jackrabbits scored again before the half when Mitch McNeil kicked a 38 yard field goal and Long Poly trailed at the half 21-9. In the third quarter the Jackrabbits' offense came to life after Johnnie Mobley scored on a 15 yard touchdown run to cut the Eagles' lead to 21-16 after the P.A.T. was good. The Eagles responded with another touchdown run from Johnny Stanton from 3 yards out to take a 28-16 with 8:50 left in the third. Not only is Johnny Stanton is fast but also is very strong as broke free again for a 35 yard touchdown run and now the Eagles were pulling away now led 35-16.





The Jackrabbits'#9 John Smith breaks free for a big run against the Eagles.



Santa Margarita's #5 Ryan Wolpin had a good night running the football
against Long Beach Poly.





Johnny Stanton wasn't finish yet as he scored this time with a 10 yard run and the Eagles led 41-16 late in the fourth quarter. Long Beach Poly couldn't score nor stop Santa Margarita on offense and even the Eagles' back up quarterback River Craccraft threw a 10 yard touch down pass to Sammy Gibbs for the Eagles last score of the game 49-16 and that became the final score. You can have great talent but it still comes down to coaching and preparation and no one has not done it better than Harry Welch and his coaching staff. All photos, video highlights and post game interviews by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports and EW Gems Images.



  

Junior Quarterbacks Are Leading Their Teams Deep Into The Playoffs

Story by L.T.Willis



Dorsey's quarterback # 3 Reginald Bell.



Reginald Bell



Dorsey vs. Crenshaw.



If you would have told me that there were three junior quarterbacks who are first time starters and that they are leading their teams into the second round of the city and southern sections playoffs, and if had not had told that this was there first year starting, i would have thought that they were returning starters. Dorsey's Reginald Bell, Santa Margarita's Johnny Stanton and Narbonne's Troy Williams have led their teams the whole season with impressive leadership. Reginald Bell  led Dorsey to a victory over rival Crenshaw 7-6 to capture the Coliseum League Title. Bell has shown he can throw with best of them but what is most impressive is that he makes smart decisions with football. Bell's numbers for passing are 132/71 for 1160 yards, 13 touchdowns, 3 interceptions. Bell also carried the ball 52/353 and 4 touchdowns. Dorsey will be hosting Birmingham in their second round playoff game.



Santa Margarita's quarterback #4 Johnny Stanton.



Johnny Stanton.





In the southern section playoffs Santa Margarita's Johnny Stanton led his team into battle against Servite that will go down as one of the best high school games evered played in the Trinity League. Santa Margarita lost to Servite in over time 43-42 and  if not for the toughness and his will to win they would had never came back from behind to send the game into over time. Stanton has great speed for his size and is very strong and one defender just can't bring him down by himself. It is amazing that a first year starter is at the helm of a top rank team  who lost to Mater Dei earlier in league play has been on a mission and is hoping to get another shot at Servite. Stanton's numbers 168/104 for 1643 yards, 7 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, carried the ball 152 times for 869 yards and 10 touchdowns. Santa Margarita must bring their A game in the second round off the playoffs against Long Beach Poly who stands in their way of a rematch with Servite.



Troy Williams.



Narbonne's #3 Troy Williams must
lead his team in the playoffs.













Narbonne #3 Troy Williams looking to pass against
San Pedro.

Back to the city section where the most exciting quarterback to watch is Narbonne's Troy Williams who you can never let him out of your sight or else he is gone. This junior quarterback has been the back bone of this team and truly a great leader. Troy Williams is the fastest of the three junior quarter backs in this article and has a great arm to add to his skills as one of the best quarterbacks in California. Williams has shown a mental toughness in games that his will to win can not be measure. Narbonne played southern section power house Long Beach Poly to the wire to lose only by three points 19-16. Now the second best game of the year came down to a Marine League showdown  with San Pedro who was led by senior quarterback Johnny Potter who defeated Narbonne 49-42. Even Potter said that he has been keeping up with Williams' stats and that he is one of the best quarterbacks in California. Williams numbers are very impressive 282/176 for 2659 yards 26 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, carried the ball 86 times for 482 yards and 7 touchdowns. Narbonne could meet San Pedro in the City Section Division I Championship game but must first deal with West Adam Prep in their second round playoff game.





Friday Night Game of the Week South Torrance @ St. Bernard Playoff Game

Story by L.T. Willis

South Torrance High School and St. Bernard High School are tied
20-20 in the first half. All photos by Eric Wade/ T.G. Sports.



When it comes down to seeding in high school sports i always say you can't go by the record because everyone starts with same record 0-0, but how do teams matches up with each other. Teams from different leagues sometimes their league strenght is throwing the football and others or run the football .Well that is what you saw if you were at the St. Bernard and South Torrance playoff game. It was going to be speed vs. smash mouth football. The game was tied 20-20 in the first half as it seems the Vikings couldn't stop the Spartans nor the Spartans couldn't stop the Vikings.





South Torrance #11 Coltan Glandorff  scores on a 1 yard touchdown
run to take the lead 27-20.



St.Bernard's quarterback # 2 Christian Smith looking down
field for a open receiver.

 

Torrance got on the scoreboard first in the third quarter with 9:02 when Coltan Glandorff scored on a 1 yard touchdown run and the Spartans now led 27-20 St.Bernard responded back when the Vikings' Christian Smith hit wide receiver Joshua Hill on a 80 yard touchdown pass to tie the game 27-27 with 8:50 left in the third quarter. This was looking like a game that who has the ball last might win this game as the Spartans scored again when Coltan Glandorff scored on a 2 yard run to take over the lead 34-27.The Vikings answered back with a score of their own when Devin Barnes scored and tied the game 34-34.

St. Bernard's #1 Devin Barnes ties the score 34-34.



South Torrance"s # 11 Coltan Glandorff scores another touchdown.

                                                                                    

In the fourth quarter you could tell that the offensive line for Torrance was wearing down the St. Bernard's defense because of their size was starting to be over powered especially when the Spartans ran to their left. The Spartans scored with 10:21 in the fourth when  quarterback Kyle Nebsit scored on a 1 yard run and had retain the lead 41-34. The game changing moment game when the Vikings was on the move to tied the score the Spartans' Seamus McNulty sacked Christian Smith for a big lost and the Vikings had to punt the ball.

South Torrance's #11 Coltan Glandorff picks up a first down.



With  5:46 left in the fourth quarter the Spartans' Coltan Glandorff behind great blocking broke free for another touchdown run and push their lead up by two scores 48-34. The Vikings with 3:21 left in the game march down the field and scored when  Christian Smith scored on 5 yard touchdown run to make the score 48-41. Now the call of the game was St. Bernard decided to go with onside kicked to get the ball back instead of punting the ball  and pin the Spartans deep on their side of the field. Well the gamble didn't pay off as the Spartans recovered the kick and had great position inside the Vikings 35 yard line.

St. Bernard' #2 Christian Smiths hands off to #4 Joshua Hill.



The Spartans' Coltan Glandorff scored on his third touch down of the night and now the scored was 55-41 with  with 2:01 left in the game. The Vickings' quarterback Christian Smith was trying to rally his team back was pick off by the Spartans' John Sico with 1:43 left to seal the victory and the final score was 55-41. The Vickings' Christian Smith finish the game 17/32 for 289 yards and  3 touchdowns and ran for 1 touchdown and Devin Barnes finish with 18 carries for 162 yards and 1 touchdown. The Lancers' Brandon Chavez finish the night with 44 carries for 353 yards and 4 touchdowns and Coltan Glandorff 16 carries for 144 and 3 touchdowns. All photos were by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW/Gems Images.



2011 City Section Football Playoffs Review Grant @ South East



Story by L.T.Willis

South East # 4 Robert Woods scores on a 28 yard touchdown pass

from Jonathan Santos. All photos are by Eric Wade/ T.G. Sports.

The South East Jaguars football team is the # 1 seed in the Los Angeles City Section Division II Playoffs hosted the Grant Lancers from Van Nuys. There is a reason why the Jaguars were seeded # 1 not only because of the record but the talent they have on their roster. The Jaguars waisted no time getting on the scoreboard first when Robert Lewis scored on a 28 yard touchdown pass from Jonathan Santos and now led 7-0. Minutes later the Jaguars scored again when Christian Quinones scored on a 13 yard quick slant to push the lead up to 14-0. The Jaguars' defense was feeding of their offense flying to the ball and making great tackles.

South East #9 quarterback Jonathan Santos hands off the ball to
running back #5 Christopher Ochoa.

South East's # 4 Robert Woods breaks free for another touchdown.

Grant seem to have no answer for Robert Lewis as he ran in for another touchdown early in the second quarter and the Jaguars now led 21-0. The Jaguars' Christopher Ochoa got into the scoring when he caught a 67 touchdown pass from Jonathan Santos with 8:27 left into the second quarter led 28-0. The Lancers just couldn't get any type of a drive going and the Jaguars wasn't going to let up either.The Jaguars' Alex Alvarez was able to

score on a 52 yard touchdown pass and the score was now 35-0. The Jaguars kickoff after that score and the Lancers finally had great field position and did something with it. With a 1:05 left in the second quarter the Lancers got on the board with a touchdown pass from Daleshaun Jackson to Ruben Ramirez to make the score 35-6. South East on the next series scored again with a 29 yard touchdown pass from Santos to Lewis and South East led at the half 42-6.

Grant's quarterback  #7 Daleshaun Jackson passes to

Ruben Ramirez for a 22 yard touchdown pass.

Grant's # 3 Josh Berry breaks free from South East defenders.

In the third quarter the Jaguars continue the route as Robert Lewis scored on  his fourth touchdown of the game from 33 yards out and the scores was now 49-6. Moments later the Jaguars' Christopher Ochoa scored on a 1 yard touchdown run to push their lead up to 56-6 to end the third quarter. In the fourth quarter the Lancers scored on a safety with 8:54 and now the score was 56-8. The lancers got on the board one more time when Demarsha Willis broke free for 85 yard touchdown run to make the score 56-14 and that was the final score of the game. South East will host Fremont in the second round of the playoffs. The Jaguars' quarterback Jonathan Santos finish on the night 11/12 for 282 yards and 4 touchdowns and Robert Lewis finish the night 7 carries for 106 yards and 3 touchdowns caught one pass for 29 yards and 1 touchdown.

Santa Margarita and Servite Football Game Becomes a Classic

Story by L.T.Willis

Servite and Santa Margarita players and coaches came together to pray that
Servite's Sean Derosa will be alright. All photos are by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.



Our Friday Night Game of The Week took us to Cerritos College were two teams were on a collision course with the Trinity League Title at stake. The 2011 Santa Margarita and Servite Game will go down as one of the greatest high school football games in Southern California. Santa Margarita won the toss and decided to kickoff to Servite. During the kickoff Servite's Sean Derosa took a hard hit and laid motionless and both teams and coaches came together and prayed that he would be alright. Moments later you could see that Sean was moving his feet and movement of his hand that was a great sign to see. Servite got on the board first after the delay in the game march down the field and Servite's Manaitovini Pauu scored on a 4 yard touchdown run and the Friars now led 7-0 with  7:54 left in the first quarter.





Servite's # 4 Manaitovini Pauu scores the first touchdown of the game. All
photos are by Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.



Santa Margarita's # 5 Ryan Wolpin ties the game 7-7.



                                                                                                                                                            

Santa Margarita with 48 seconds left in the first quarter tied the game 7-7 when Ryan Wolpin scored on a 1 yard touchdown run. Servite responded with another good drive and the Friars' quarterback Cody Pittman found wide receiver Ainslie Johnson open for a 9 yard touch down pass to take the lead 14-7. Well the beginning of a shoot out was in the makings as Santa Margarita's quarterback Johnny Stanton connected with Ryan Wolpin on a 60 yard touchdown pass tied the game 14-14. With 42 seconds before the half Servite's quarterback Cody Pittman scored on a 5 yard touchdown run and at  half time led 21-14.

Servite's # 80 Ainslie Johnson scores on a 9 yard touchdown pass and
the Friars now leads 14-7.



The Eagles' Ryan Wolpin scores on a 60 yard touchdown pass to tie the
game 14-14.

                                                                               

The third quarter Santa Margarita tied the game 21-21 on a Ryan Wolpin 4 yard touchdown run and the fans from both sides were really getting into the game as it seems that both teams couldn't stop each other in this Trinity League classic show down. With 1:21 left in the third quarter Friars' Manaitovini Pauu scored on a 9 yard touchdown run and now Servite led 28-21. Early in the fourth quarter the Eagles' Johnny Stanton scored on a 11 yard touchdown run and tied the game 28-28. Servite answered back again with a 4yard touchdown run by Manaitovini Pauu to push their lead to 35-28.

Santa Margarita's # 4 quarterback Johnny Stanton has to fight for every
yard he could get against Servite.



Servite's # 4 Manaitovini Paul scores again on a 4 yard touchdown run
and now leads Santa Margarita 35-28.

                                                                             

Late in the fourth quarter the Eagles had to rely on the their junior quarterback to lead them one more time down the field and  Johnny Stanton delivered again with a 7 yard touch down run and tied the game 35-35 as the game was now going into overtime. Santa Margarita got the ball first  and scored on a hard 4 yard run by Johnny Stanton and now the Eagles led 42-35. The game was coming down to who would have the ball last. Servite's Manaitovini Pauu scored on his third touchdown of the night and  and now only trailed the Eagles 42-41.

The Eagles '# 4 Johnny Stanton scores on a 7 yard touchdown run to
tie the game 35-35 to force overtime.



The Eagles' # 4 Johnny Stanton scores the first touchdown in overtime to
take the lead 42-35.



                                                                             

After a timeout Servite's head coach Troy Thomas decided to go for the win instead of going into a second overtime period with Santa Margarita went for the two point conversion as the Friars' quarterback Cody Pittman found wide open Ainslie Johnson for the two point conversion and Servite defeated Santa Margarita in overtime 43-42 to capture another Trinity League Title. These are the types of games that sports writers and photographers dream off because there really were no losers in tonight's game, but we all witness young men growing up right in front of our eyes giving it their all and after the game ended they were still winners.

Servite's # 80 Ainslie Johnson scores on a two point conversion to defeat
Santa Margarita in overtime 42-43.



 Santa Margarita's Johnny Stanton finish with 19/29 for 275 yards and one touchdown pass and carried the ball 22 times for 115 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Wolpin carried the ball 11 times for 33 yards and two touchdowns and 3 catches for 84 yards and one touchdown. Servite's Cody Pittman finish the night 19/22 for 245 yards and two touchdowns and carried the ball 18 times for 100 yards and one touchdown. Manaitovini Pauu carried the ball 16 times for 58 yards and three touchdowns. All photos and video highlights and post game footage are by Eric Wade/ T.G. Sports and EW/Gems Images.



City Section Friday Night Game of the Week Narbonne @ San Pedro

Story by L.T. Willis

Marine League rivals Narbonne and San Pedro are playing for first place.

All photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.



Just a day ago we witness one of the best defensive gems  between Dorsey and Crenshaw a bend but don't break game on defense where the Dons came out on top 7-6. So we travel to San Pedro High School in the rain and hail of water coming down to probably witness one of the classic shootouts between Marine League powers Narbonne and San Pedro. In the first quarter no one could gain the edge as both teams could get any rhythm going on offense. Now the second quarter San Pedro was on the move and the Pirates march down the field and scored first when Darrell Santiago broke free into the end zone with 6:37 on the clock and now led the Gauchos 7-0.

San Pedro's Darrell Santiago puts the Pirates on the scoreboard first to
take the lead 7-0.

San Pedro's # 5 Brent Speight scores and now Narbonne trails 14-7.

The Pirates after scoring kicked and the Gauchos had great field position when Aaron Corbin ran it back for 35 yards to set up their drive. Two costly penalties against San Pedro gave Narbonne even greater field position and moments later the Gauchos'Antoine Anderson scored with 3:23 left in the second quarter and tied the game 7-7. With 2:36 left  in the second quarter the Pirates' Brent Speight scored and now they led 14-7. Narbonne responded with a great drive of their own when the Gauchos' Troy Williams found Antoine Anderson on a 4 yard touchdown catch  with thirty four seconds left in the second quarter and the two point conversion wasn't made and now trailed San Pedro at the half 14-13.

San Pedro's  # 7 quarterback Kenny Potter runs for a 49 touchdown  and
increase their lead  to 21-13.



Narbonne's # 5 Tray Boone scores and ties the game 21-21.

During the third quarter  San Pedro was on the move again when Kenny Potter broke free on a quarterback keeper for a 49 yard touchdown run to increase the Pirates' lead to 21-13. Narbonne answered back with 7:46 left in the third quarter when the Gauchos' Tray Boone scored and the two point conversion was made by Myles Young was good and now the game was tied 21-21. On the next series for the Pirates they had to punt the ball back to Gauchos and moments later Troy Williams broke free for a 40 yard touchdown run and now the Gauchos now led 28-21. This game had the looks of who would have the ball last would when the game the way the scoring was going.

Narbonne's quarterback  # 3 Troy Williams scores on a 40 yard touchdown
run and now leads San Pedro 28-21.



San Pedro's #7 Kenny Potter scores again and now leads Narbonne
35-28.

If you are a football fan this is the game you wanted to be at with both teams fired up and fans cheering defense on  both sides. San Pedro was proving that they could keep up with Narbonne's explosive offense with 11:46 in the forth quarter the Pirates' Darell Santiago scored on a 12 yard touchdown run and tied the game 28-28. The Pirates defense held the Gauchos to a 3 and out and got the ball back and took the lead when Pirates' Kenny Potter scored on another keeper and now led the gauchos 35-28. The Gauchos offense was force to punt the ball when the snap got away from Troy Williams after facing a fourth and 23 yards to go scramble around and found Greg Clark for 25 yards to give them a first down  and keep their drive alive. The San Pedro crowd couldn't believe what they just saw had Narbonne on the ropes and let them got away.

San Pedro's # 22 Gregory Thomas scores on a 28 yard
touchdown run and Narbonne now trails 42-34.





Moments later the Gauchos' Tray Boone scored again and the extra point was miss and now they trailed the Pirates 35-34. With 3:19 left in the game the Pirates scored on a 28 yard touchdown run by Gregory Thomas to push their lead to 42-34. Now it was the Gauchos turn to see if they march down the field and tie the game up and their drive had everyone wondering if we were heading to overtime. The Pirates defense had the Gauchos down to their last down when a reverse in the back field for the Gauchos caught the Pirates off guard a wide on Troy Williams was in the end zone and scored and now the games was tied 42-42.




Narbonne's quarterback # 3 Troy Williams scores and ties the game 42-42.



San Pedro's  # 3 Deshawn Sambrano picks off Troy Williams pass and
seals the victory for the Pirates 49-42.



 Narbonne kicked off to San Pedro to set up one of the most amazing plays of the night when the Pirates' Kenny Potter broke free on a quarterback keeper with one defender standing in his way shook him and race down the field for a 71 yard touchdown run to make the score 49-42.The Gauchos were trying to tied the score when the defensive play of the game was made by the Pirates' Deshawn Sambrano intercepted Troy Williams pass to seal the victory. Many questions were answered by San Pedro if they could score with teams with explosive offenses and they have proven that tonight by defeating Narbonne 49-42. All photos and video highlights and post game interviews footage are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW/Gems Images.



City Section Thursday Night Game of The Week Dorsey @ Crenshaw

Story by L.T. Willis

Crenshaw and Dorsey battle for first place in the Coliseum League. All
photos by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.





So far this year our Thursday Night Games of the Week have been some great games and the Dorsey and Crenshaw game will be included in this list. Dorsey was visiting Crenshaw for the their Home Coming Game and what a defensive gem it was. Both teams trying their best to make sure they have a shot to win the Coliseum League and a possible number one spot in the division one city section playoffs. Dorsey kicked off first to Crenshaw and on the very first offensive play for Crenshaw was a running play and Dorsey's Jeremiah Allison a outside linebacker put a big time hit on the running back for Crenshaw and that set the tone for the game.

Dorsey's defense has Crenshaw back up inside of their own 3 yard line.

Dorsey's quarterback # 10 Reginald Bell found Jaydon Mickens open for a
big catch for a first down.

Dorsey's defense held Crenshaw and force them to punt the ball back to the Dons who wound up with great field position. Moments later quarterback Reginald Bell from Dorsey found Jaydon Mickens open in the flat  for a big gain and a big first down when a Crenshaw player was flag for personal foul unsportsman like conduct after the play. A few plays later Dorsey's Max Lyon burst into the end zone and the Dons got on the board first and the extra point conversion was good and the Dons led 7-0 in the first quarter. You could tell that both sides were wired with so much at stake with the Coliseum League Title at stake and  possibly the number one seed  for the division one city playoffs.

Crenshaw's offense gets them inside Dorsey's five yard line.



Dorsey's # 8 Jeremiah Allison chasing down Crenshaw's quarterback
# 12 Jerry Maconico.



Crenshaw had a chance to get on the board late in the second quarter drove down inside Dorsey five yard line but several penalties and a bad snap force them out of scoring range.Dorsey hadn't beat Crenshaw in about  five years and their speed on defense was so far the key to the game. For once Dorsey could match Crenshaw team speed and their offense was just as good as Crenshaw offensive this season. This was a game that no one wanted to miss and because both schools are one of the city section biggest games of the year you could feel the excitement in the air.

Crenshaw's # 80 Andrew Edwards scores on a 25 yard touchdown catch.



Crenshaw finally got on the board in the third quarter when the Cougars'  quarterback Jerry Maconico found Andre Edwards who went up high to make a one hand grab on a 25 yard touchdown catch and the extra point was miss and now trailed Dorsey 7-6. The fourth quarter really heated because now  Crenshaw had scored in the third quarter and gave the Cougars new life. Crenshaw had the chance to take the lead with 9:57 left in the game with a field goal from eight yard out was no good and that turn out to be the difference in the game as Dorsey held on to defeat Crenshaw by the score 7-6. All photos and video highlights and post game interviews footage are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW/Gems Images.