Carson, CA – Coming off one of their most complete performances of the season, the Carson Colts — led by head coach Lowe — punched their ticket to the City Championship with a commanding 40–7 win over Garfield. The victory was equal parts discipline, physicality, and intentional coaching, and it sends Carson into next week’s title game at Southwest College with real momentum and a clear identity.

For a team that has been steadily building toward this moment, Friday night felt like a statement: Carson isn’t sneaking into the championship. They’re arriving with the door fully open.

Carson’s defensive unit has been the backbone of their playoff run, and Friday night was another example of why. Defensive coordinator Jeff “Goob” Johnson had his group playing fast, smart, and with purpose — and it showed from the opening snap. Garfield came in confident they could run the ball right at Carson, but Johnson made sure his players knew the challenge ahead.

“They thought they was gon’ come in and just run it down the field on us,” Johnson told me. “We challenged the kids on who has the tougher team.”

The Colts held Garfield scoreless until the final drive, and that only happened after the JV unit checked in for cleanup duty. Up front, sophomore standout K. Sula collected a sack and a hurry, while junior M. O’Dell recovered a fumble and controlled the boundary with veteran-level poise. Carson swarmed ball carriers, closed space quickly, and avoided the mental mistakes that plagued them earlier this season.

“We only had two flags on defense which is good… got facemask from tackling to high and an offsides, which we gotta fix,” Johnson said.

For a playoff environment, that kind of control is the difference between advancing and exiting.

While the defense was suffocating Garfield, junior quarterback C. Fields III commanded the offense with confidence and balance. He didn’t force throws. He didn’t rush his reads. He simply let the game come to him — and then took it over.

Fields III threw for 146 yards on 14-of-20 passing and added another 148 yards on the ground, including a 58-yard touchdown that sent the Carson sideline into a frenzy. His patience in the pocket and explosiveness in open space kept Garfield guessing all night.

But Fields III wasn’t alone in carrying the load.

Junior E. Myers chipped in 84 rushing yards and added 15 receiving yards for 99 total yards on the night. Senior K. Trujeque hammered in a 14-yard touchdown run. Senior N. Castillo added 20 yards on the ground to keep the chains moving. And J. Daniel quietly posted eight catches for 52 yards, moving sticks and finding soft spots in the coverage.

Z. Brock played like a man auditioning for the championship spotlight. He scored two touchdowns, added a 30-yard reception, and flipped momentum every time he touched the field.

All told, Carson racked up 273 rushing yards, 146 passing yards, and 419 yards of total offense — with touchdowns from five different players.

When a defense is already controlling the game and an offense spreads the ball that well? That’s a team built to survive November.

Head coach Lowe deserves the spotlight at the front of this postseason story. His leadership has been steady and consistent, even during the ups and downs of the regular season. But what makes this Carson team special is how aligned the entire coaching staff is — from coordinators to position coaches.

Johnson’s defense is playing its best football of the season. The offense has found rhythm and versatility. The sideline energy on Friday was unified and focused, and players mirrored the calm but determined demeanor of their coaches.

That cohesion shows up in the details — how they close halves, adjust mid-game, and respond to pressure moments. Friday’s performance wasn’t just talent. It was preparation.

Next Stop: Southwest College

The City Championship is set for Saturday, November 29 at 6:00 PM at Southwest College, where Carson will face Crenshaw (10–1) in a matchup that has been brewing all season. Crenshaw’s speed, athleticism, and big-play ability will be the headline, but Johnson made it clear the only danger is underestimating them.

“Taking them lightly,” he said. “They in a ship for a reason — we can’t underestimate them.”

At the same time, Carson respects their opponent without fearing them.

“We know they have a lot of speed, athletic guys… but we have that too, plus the front 7.”

The Colts are approaching this next step the same way they approached the semifinal: one game at a time, one play at a time.

And if Friday night is any indication, they’re peaking at exactly the right moment.

Carson didn’t stumble into a blowout — they built it. Behind head coach Lowe’s leadership and defensive coordinator Jeff “Goob” Johnson’s relentless defensive standard, the Colts showed who they are and what they’re capable of. Their 40–7 win wasn’t a surprise; it was confirmation.

Carson is ready………… The Championship awaits.