(Carson, CA)—The undefeated, yet underdog #6 seeded Garfield Bulldogs (11-0) pulled off a major upset in squeaking out a (14-10) victory over the #3 seeded Carson Colts on their home field this past weekend. With a one-game suspension of twelve of its players in a regular season-ending game versus Narbonne, the Colts nonetheless performed strongly for themselves and their large home crowd. Garfield battled “toe-to-toe” and “big play-to-big play” offensively with their opponent. The Bulldogs also played an alert, hard-hitting, and swarming defense as they have been noted for all season. Their average points allowed per game during the regular season was an incredible low of six.

Brief Game Summary:

1st Qtr—As in a Pro Heavyweight bout, or a World Title Boxing match, both teams used this quarter to basically feel each other out. Lots of jabs and hooks, but no serious power punches were landed. The score was (0-0) at the end of the period.

2nd Qtr—In a much-awaited rematch between these two schools, it was Garfield who opened the scoring at the (10:11) mark of the 2nd quarter, when RB/SR/#1 P.J. Garcia, found paydirt on a 1 yd. burst over left tackle giving the Bulldogs the first points of the game. Of Significance…with that rushing TD, Garcia added even more yardage to his already impressive 1,500 total rushing yards for the season. The PAT was good by Fabian Munõz-Rodriguez. The score at this point was Garfield 7, Carson 0. At the (5:28) mark, Carson went deep and scored on a great catch by WR/SR/#10 Demoni Sanchez from his QB/SO/#12 Uiolevanuseaulaoleolo Ale, just before stepping out of bounds under the goal post. The PAT was good to tie the score at (7-7). It remained tied at halftime.

3rd Qtr—Not much scoring took place in the period as the defensive units played nearly to a draw. The Colts however did manage to take the lead when they hit a field goal at the (8:03) mark. This moved the score to Carson 10, Garfield 7.

4th Qtr—The game turned on a huge interception by #11/WR/CB/SR/Bruce Gonzalez as he went up high at the Carson 12 yd. line with their receiver, intercepting and coming down with the ball while landing on his back. Then, with just (4:59) remaining in the contest, once again, RB/SR/#1 P.J. Garcia’s number was called and he responded by punching it in from the 4 yd. line giving the Bulldogs a (13-10) lead. Placekicker Fabian Muñoz-Rodriguez easily added the PAT for a (14-10) advantage. From the point on, the Garfield defense played its stiffest defense of the season to secure the win and move the Bulldogs into next week’s greatly anticipated encounter in the Open Division’s Semifinal with the #2 seed, undefeated, and Northern League Champion, the Eagle Rock Eagles (11-0).

FINAL SCORE: Garfield  14, Carson 10 

Media Credits: Video Game Highlights, Frankli Robles, Field Producer, East L.A. Sports Scene & Director, Lee Pictures; Keneth Robles, Assistant for Digital Photography.