GAME OF THE WEEK : Despite Shaky Start, Carson Beats Dorsey

After an ineffective first half, Carson High quarterback Jamie Sander found his touch to lead the Colts to a 27-7 win over Dorsey Friday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Sander, a 6-foot senior, threw three interceptions in the first half, but bounced back to complete 22 of 36 passes for a career-high 419 yards and three touchdowns.

With the win, Carson solidified its hold on first place in the Pacific League with a 3-0 league record and an overall record of 4-2-1. Dorsey dropped to 2-1-1 in league, 3-2-1 overall.

“I came into the game wanting to throw more, but I just got off to a shaky start,” Sander said. “I was able to make some big throws in the second half because I think our motion got them confused in their secondary.”

In the first half, Sander completed eight of 16 passes for 173 yards, but Dorsey stopped three scoring opportunities with interceptions. In fact, every time Carson, appeared to be on the move through much of the first half, Dorsey was able to either sack Sander or force a turnover. The Dons’ Dominico Smith and Rashad Turner each had fourth-down sacks of Sander deep in Dorsey territory.

But Dorsey was unable to capitalize. Quarterback Sultan Ali completed only one of nine passes for nine yards with one interception.

Dorsey’s big play receiver, Antonio Carrion, was double-teamed throughout the game and finished with only four catches for 54 yards, although one reception was a late-game touchdown catch.

“They did a real good job on Antonio,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “They were able to control the line of scrimmage and we couldn’t run.”

Carson took a 7-0 lead late in the first half on an eight-play, 63-yard drive. Sander led the charge in completing 20-yard passes to Ernest Claxton and Sergio Diaz, and capped the drive himself with a one-yard touchdown sneak.

In the second half, Sander did not waste any time in getting Carson its second touchdown, completing a 23-yard scoring pass to Sean Turner on the Colts’ first drive.

With a 14-0 lead, Sander again made the big plays in completing a screen pass to Nakia Wheeler for 36 yards and a 40-yard pass to Claxton. He finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass to Claxton to open the fourth quarter.

Sander’s threw another six-yard touchdown pass to Claxton to give the Colts a 27-0 lead late in the fourth quarter.

Dorsey avoided a shutout when backup quarterback Moses Malaki completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Carrion with less than two minutes remaining.

“Our offensive line really came out in the second half and gave me time to throw,” Sander said. “We’ve been throwing the ball all year and that’s what I think has got us winning games.”

C--Sander 1 run (Rodriguez kick)

C--Turner 23 pass from Sander (Rodriguez kick)

C--Claxton 6 pass from Sander (run failed)

C--Claxton 6 pass from Sander (Rodriguez kick)

D--Carrion 26 pass from Moses (Moreno kick)

Records: Carson 5-2-1; Dorsey 3-2-1

Next week: Carson vs. Banning at Long Beach Veterans Stadium; Gardena vs. Dorsey at Jackie Robinson Stadium.