HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : San Pedro Looking for Respect in 4-A Title Game Against Dorsey

San Pedro High Coach Mike Walsh has his jaw set, his eyes probing for anyone who questions the chances of his Pirates as they prepare for the City Section Division 4-A football championship game today against Dorsey.

“I know we respect ourselves, but I think that’s it,” Walsh said.

This season, and particularly the Pirates’ playoff run, has been their own private Alamo. Their us-against-the-masses mentality concludes at El Camino College at 1 p.m. in a game that San Pedro, fittingly, is not supposed to win.

Dorsey has a better record (12-1 to 10-3), is ranked (No. 13 in The Times’ poll as opposed to the unranked Pirates), and won the teams’ meeting earlier this season, 35-28.

While Walsh is riled, Dorsey Coach Paul Knox is relaxed.

“We are excited and anxious about the opportunity,” he said. “But this is what we have been aiming for all season. This is just the last step.”