Ferguson Uses His Versatility to Lift Taft to 3-A Victory Over Manual Arts, 21-14

Quarterback Mike Ferguson passed for one touchdown and ran for two more, including the game-winner early in the fourth quarter, to lead Taft High to a 21-14 victory over Manual Arts on Friday night in the opening round of the City Section 3-A Division playoffs.

Taft (7-4) will play Fremont in Wednesday’s second round.

Manual Arts got into the playoffs despite a 2-7 regular-season record. But, after falling behind, 14-0, at halftime, the Toilers tied the score on a 19-yard touchdown run by Kareem Wafer and a 14-yard touchdown reception by Wafer on their first two possessions of the second half.

Ferguson accounted for his third touchdown of the game early in the final quarter, scoring on a three-yard run. He completed nine of 11 passes for 137 yards, including a 47-yard scoring strike to reserve running back Deshon Polk, who replaced injured Jerry Brown.

Brown carried nine times for 61 yards, all in the second half, despite a groin pull. Polk finished with 37 yards in 11 carries in addition to the scoring reception.