Carson gives notice by Downing Venice

Christensen wins in his first game as coach as Sula gains 130 yards and Boyd adds 113 to pace 30-25 victory. Mueller's late interception is key.

By Bob Holtzman
Daily Breeze

Carson senior running back Steven Boyd had a message for the rest of the L.A. City Section after Friday night's 30-25 nonleague victory over visiting Venice in both teams' season opener.

"Old-school Carson is back," Boyd said after rushing for 113 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. "The rest of the City better watch us and pay attention to these games.

"Defensive back Jeff Mueller helped clinch the victory with his interception of Venice quarterback Richard Ragland with under three minutes left in the fourth quarter. It was the only turnover of the night for either team.

"We finally get the ball with a chance to take the lead and the untimely interception made a difference," Venice coach Angelo Gasca said. Boyd had a reason to boast after an impressive win to start the season and considering that the Colts finished 3-8 last year.
Boyd was matched by fellow running back Jack Sula, who had 130 yards on 17 carries. Sula also caught two passes for 27 yards and a touchdown and took part in the first touchdown under new coach Mike Christensen when he threw a halfback pass to Mike Manuel to give Carson a 6-0 lead after its first drive.

Sula did all of this despite cramping up at halftime and missing most of the second half. He recovered in time to carry the ball the last five times for Carson, including a 7-yard run for a first down on third-and-5.

"We tried everything, water, electrolyte tablets, Gatorade, bananas and all I could do was just wait for it to get better," Sula said. "All our hard work in the summer is starting to pay off."

Christensen was proud of his team, which won despite being flagged 15 times. The Colts pounded at Venice with its running game, allowing Sula and Boyd to follow behind an impressive offensive line that drew kudos from Christensen.

"They had as many as nine in the box, there was one point where I thought they had the water boy in there," Christensen said. "Our O-line coach, Carlos Ruiz, does such a great job. Our line is good, they're real good."

Carson finished with 275 rushing yards and added 115 passing yards. Mike Cortez added 31 yards on six carries and Joel Deayon scored on a 6-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Dominique Blackman completed 8 of 14 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice.

Carson downplayed any extra incentive it had with former coach Rowen Tupuivao coaching defense for Venice.
"That helped," Boyd said. "But I really wanted to beat Venice my senior year because I have little cousins there and I couldn't lose to my baby cousins in my last year."

Venice quarterback Richard Ragland nearly spoiled Boyd's evening. The 6-foot-1 junior completed 11 of 19 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Curtis McNeal had a big game, catching four passes for 115 yards, including a 68-yard touchdown catch on a screen play. McNeal also rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.

Christensen said his team was without its kicker and tried to use Blackman, but after a bad snap, caused Carson to not covert its PAT, Christensen opted to go for two-point conversions and the Colts converted all three attempts.