Fremont Passes Its First Big Test

Fremont knew that its easy nonleague victories over Los Angeles Hamilton and Bell weren’t an accurate indicator of its status as a City Section title contender. It scheduled San Pedro for that.

The Pathfinders got the test they wanted and rode two touchdown receptions by Mark Bradford and a tough defensive effort to grab a 16-10 victory over the Pirates Friday night at Fremont.

Except for a few hairy moments in the final two minutes, Fremont (3-0) kept the game under control. The defense gave up 254 yards but only 67 came on the ground as it never let San Pedro (1-2) establish a running game.

“I’m very happy with these guys,” Fremont Coach Pete Duffy said. “Especially my guys up front. We knew San Pedro would be an excellent, well-coached team and we knew we had to be the same way against these guys.”

The Pirates staged a late rally to put the game in doubt. Quarterback Steve Taylor, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 187 yards, connected on a 35-yard pass play to John Whitt to get the ball to the Fremont 15-yard line. Four plays later, fullback Deon Bell scored on a six-yard run on fourth down to cut the lead to 16-10.

Joel Rosas then recovered the onside kick for San Pedro. But on second down and nine at the Fremont 45, he fumbled the ball after being hit and the Pathfinders’ Thomas Herring pounced on it to end the threat.

Fremont scored 40 points or more in its two victories and appeared to be off to a flying start against San Pedro when Eric Jones raced 71 yards on the first play of the game. But the Pathfinders had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Ramon Mancia.

Bradford, who has been playing with an injured ankle, caught five passes for 69 yards. He grabbed an 11-yard touchdown pass from Michael Beach to put the Pathfinders up 10-0. San Pedro’s Mario Danelo kicked a 23-yard field goal to send the Pirates into halftime down 10-3.

But in the third quarter, Bradford made the biggest play of the game.

Beach looked for the senior receiver on a post pattern but Pirate defensive back Darrell Bullock read it perfectly. Bullock stepped in front of Bradford but let the ball slip through his fingers. Meanwhile, Bradford kept his eyes on the deflected football and hauled it in for a 33-yard scoring pass.

Eric Stephens

Gardena 35, Franklin 24--Turnovers, trick plays and a triple-threat ground game spelled victory for Gardena in a victory at Franklin.

Jason Franklin, Deandre Hughes and Laferrel Payne combined for 267 total yards and four touchdowns for the Panthers (2-1). Franklin led all rushers with 110 yards and two touchdowns in 18 carries.

The Panthers’ other touchdown came on a pass off a fake punt.

Narcisco Diaz led Franklin (2-1) with 421 yards passing and three touchdowns. He completed 22 of 43 passes, but was sacked eight times with three interceptions.

Rafer Weigel

Carson 30, Granada Hills Kennedy 6--Brandon Myles returned the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a 16-0 lead and Tupu Malele scored on a 65-yard interception return later in the third quarter for the host Colts (2-1). Kennedy was held to 29 yards rushing in 28 carries.