Lightning delayed the start of the Marine League football championship between Carson and San Pedro on Friday night by 30 minutes, but once underway, Carson quickly asserted dominance. On just the second play of the game, Carson quarterback Chris Fields III broke free for a 71-yard touchdown run, showcasing his speed and power with support from pulling guard Trent Afusia. Fields, the reigning City Section player of the year, accounted for four first-half touchdowns—two rushing and two passing—as Carson secured a 35-0 victory over San Pedro.
With the win, Carson improved to 8-1 and clinched the No. 1 seed in the City Section Open Division playoffs. Fields completed nine of 12 passes for 116 yards, including touchdown throws of 14 and 12 yards to Nathan Williams, and rushed for 96 yards—all in the first half. San Pedro struggled offensively, failing to record a first down until midway through the second quarter. Quarterback Seth Solorio, entering the game with 23 touchdown passes on the season, completed just two of 11 passes for 17 yards.
Fields credited recent improvements in strength and conditioning for his increased speed and agility. “I’ve been improving my speed,” he said, noting a regimen that includes weightlifting and stretching. Despite previously committing to Georgetown, Fields has since opened his recruitment and is considering Air Force as an option.
Carson’s ground game was balanced and effective, with running back Tytus Salagi adding 85 yards and a touchdown. The Colts’ offensive line also played a pivotal role, providing Fields with consistent protection throughout the game. At one point, Fields faced no pressure in the pocket despite counting four defenders as rushers. Afusia, a 5-foot-11, 265-pound junior, impressed with his ability to quickly lead on running plays.
Defensively, Carson was equally dominant. Defensive end Kingston Sula and defensive backs Bennie Saulter and Michael O’Dell anchored a unit that limited San Pedro’s offense to minimal yardage. No team in the City Section has managed to keep the Colts within a 23-point margin this season, an indicator of the challenge opponents face.
Looking ahead, Carson is positioned as a strong contender in the postseason, with other top teams such as Cleveland, which is aiming for an undefeated 10-0 regular season, and King/Drew, poised to win the Coliseum League, potentially meeting Carson in the City Section final.
The game was among several in the Southern California region affected by lightning delays, particularly in Orange County, leading to multiple reschedulings to Saturday.