HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / CITY 4-A PLAYOFFS : Banning Ends Carson’s Streak

For the first time since 1980, Carson High will not be playing for a City Section football title.

Banning made sure of that Wednesday night by pulling away in the fourth quarter for a 34-14 victory over the Colts in the 4-A Division quarterfinals before 10,000 at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

Banning tailback Shayzar Hawkins rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns in 29 carries and had scoring runs of 24 and 43 yards in the fourth quarter. The last touchdown, which came with 2:41 to play, was set up by a 42-yard interception return by 6-foot-4, 297-pound lineman Naeem Mills.

It was Banning’s second victory over its archrival in two weeks. The Pilots beat Carson, 21-20, on Nov. 15, which ended a seven-game losing streak to the Colts.

“I’m very happy to beat them again,” said Banning quarterback Andre Faavi-Tau’au, who passed for 102 yards and ran for a touchdown. “We just want to go all the way.”

Carson (6-5-1), last season’s 4-A champion and a City finalist the 10 previous years, did not get a first down until late in the third quarter and finished with only 100 yards.

Banning (11-1), which finished with 348 yards, opened a 21-7 lead on a 28-yard touchdown run by fullback Jason Grayson with 3:06 left in the third quarter. Carson came back to pull within 21-14 on the ensuing possession, capping a 49-yard drive with a one-yard run by fullback Eran Taulua.

Carson managed to stay close thanks to a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Tony Knox after Banning’s second touchdown late in the first quarter.

Banning’s first touchdown came on a one-yard dive by Faavi-Tua’au, seven plays after Hawkins recovered a fumbled punt by Knox at the Carson 28.

On their next possession, the Pilots drove 41 yards to score on an eight-yard run by Hawkins. A 30-yard pass from Faavi-Tua’au to wide receiver Jimmy Legaspi set up the touchdown, which made the score 13-0.