CITY SECTION FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Carson 17, Narbonne 14--It was only 18 yards and Carson kicker Tadeo Hernandez remained confident even though he hooked another field-goal try earlier in the game. But nothing was certain in the Marine League opener. And the field-goal try came about because the Colts nearly blew a golden opportunity in the final minute.

Hernandez calmly put the ball through the goal posts with 13 seconds left to give No. 8 Carson a tough 17-14 victory over the visiting Gauchos. Carson Coach John Aguirre sent in Hernandez on fourth-and-goal after a gritty Narbonne defensive unit kept Carson running backs Marcus McCall and Kevin McCall out of the end zone on three consecutive plays.

“I just concentrated as much as I could,� said Hernandez, who leaped in the air after his winning kick.�

Narbonne (2-2, 0-1) was ready to force overtime. With 1:38 remaining, the Gauchos had fourth down at their own 45 and Monty Long was ready to pin the Colts deep.

But the ball was snapped high over Long’s head and Carson recovered at the Narbonne 22. It was the Gauchos’ sixth turnover and also the decisive one.

“The six turnovers killed us,� Narbonne Coach J.R. Munoz said.

Carson (5-0, 1-0) simply survived in a game in which neither team could take control. The Colts dominated the first half, yet led only 7-6 at halftime after failing to score on four other possessions deep in Narbonne territory. Narbonne had only 54 yards offense in the first half but Donell Wheaton’s 85-yard kickoff return kept the Gauchos in the game after Brandon Myles scored on a four-yard run for Carson.

Marcus McCall, who rushed for 209 yards on 12 carries, broke loose for an 80-yard touchdown run that gave Carson a 14-6 lead in the third quarter.

Narbonne’s Travis Johnson fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and the Colts had the ball at the Gaucho 23. But Narbonne stood strong on defense, repeatedly keeping Carson at bay. Dashon Goldson recovered a Kevin McCall fumble and the Gauchos took advantage when Ronnie Smith scored on a 30-yard run. Smith added the two-point conversion to tie the game with 9:34 left.