Column: Carson joins mix for top seeding in City Section football playoffs

A little bit of chaos in Los Angeles City Section football was created Friday night when Carson thrust itself into contention for the No. 1 seeding in Division I with a 39-35 upset of Harbor City Narbonne to take over first place in the Marine League.

Narbonne (5-4 overall, 3-1 in league play), had been considered the likely No. 1 seed. Now the Colts (7-2, 4-0) can win the Marine League championship if they defeat host San Pedro (8-1, 3-1) on Friday. If they lose, then it’s likely to be a three-way tie for first place and coin flips will be needed.

Crenshaw (6-3, 4-0), the defending City Division I champion, has been rolling through unchallenged in the Coliseum League and also will receive strong consideration.

What’s clear to Carson Coach Kevin McCall is that people better start paying attention to his standout senior, Jabari Minix.

“Minix is the best player in the City,� McCall said.

Minix, a running back, receiver and defensive back, had three touchdowns against Narbonne.

“No one has stopped him this year,� McCall said. “He has scored one or two touchdowns on everybody.�

As for the game plan to beat Narbonne, McCall said, “My coaches did a great job preparing the kids. We wanted to run the ball and keep their offense on the sideline.�

It’s going to be a wild last weekend of football in the City Section. The Valley Mission League title will be decided when Canoga Park (8-1, 5-0) plays at Sylmar (7-2, 5-0).

Hamilton (6-3, 4-0) will try to win the Western League title at Venice (4-5, 3-1). Also set for Friday is the neighborhood rivalry game between Garfield and Roosevelt at East Los Angeles College.

Passing circus

Junior quarterback Jorge Amaya had the game of his young career, completing 45 of 56 passes for 739 yards and five touchdowns as Los Angeles Hawkins defeated West Adams, 46-27, in an Exposition League game.

The passing numbers were not a City Section record. That’s held by David Koral of Palisades, who threw for 764 yards against Valley Glen Grant in 2000.

Mission finale

It could be a simple final week for the Mission League, or get very complicated.

Encino Crespi (7-1, 4-1), La Puente Bishop Amat (6-3, 4-1) and Gardena Serra (7-2, 4-1) are tied for first place. If they all win next week, they will all qualify for the Pac-5 Division playoffs and coin flips will decide how they are seeded in their league standings.

Crespi plays host to Alemany, Bishop Amat plays at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Serra is at home against Loyola.

Crespi is in a precarious position if it loses to Alemany. It could drop to fourth place and would have to seek one of the two at-large playoff berths from the Pac-5.

Record for Trent Irwin

Newhall Hart receiver Trent Irwin set school records with 284 yards receiving and six touchdown catches in the team’s 43-12 victory over Saugus.