Carson, CA- A season that revived a city, restored pride on campus, and put Carson back on the map ended two points short Saturday night. The Colts fell 35–33 to Kennedy–Delano in the CIF State Division 3-A Regional, a game defined by momentum swings, emotional resilience, and two plays that will haunt Carson until they get another chance to rewrite the story.
The Colts jumped out to a blazing 27–14 first-quarter lead, powered by junior quarterback Chris Fields, who accounted for all five Carson touchdowns. But a blocked extra point early in the first quarter and a stopped two-point conversion late in the fourth became the difference. Those missed opportunities, paired with Kennedy’s relentless ground game, ultimately sealed the Colts’ fate.
Fields completed 11 of his first 15 passes for 160 yards in the opening half and finished 14 of 26 for 204 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also added 17 rushing yards and three scores on the ground, becoming the heartbeat of the offense.
His targets delivered: Jordin Daniel led with 98 yards on seven catches. Nathan Williams hauled in an 18-yard touchdown.
Darren Panton caught three passes for 70 yards and set the stadium buzzing with a 59-yard punt return that helped Carson take a 27–20 lead.
Royal Moore made a tough fourth-down catch in the second half that kept Carson’s chances alive.
The Colts exploding up and down the field with confidence and pace gave the home crowd the feeling that a state berth was coming. But games like this are built on adjustments, and Kennedy had one ready.
Kennedy answers with old-school football, running the ball as if they were writing a textbook on the Wing-T offense.
Senior star Jace Demacabalin carried the ball 38 times for 221 yards and three touchdowns. Kennedy attempted only one pass all night. They did not need another.
Every time Carson seemed on the verge of forcing a punt, Kennedy picked up another first down. Counters, sweeps, dives and traps wore down the defense. The Thunderbirds added a major spark when Jamison Membreve returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown immediately after Carson went up 14–7. He finished with 46 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown of his own.
One of the biggest turning points came on a rarely called horse-collar tackle penalty, a fifteen-yard flag for pulling a runner down by the inside of the shoulder pads. Officials do not see it often because players are coached to avoid that dangerous motion. But its timing was devastating. Instead of facing a long second down, Kennedy received a free fifteen yards that placed them deep in Carson territory and kept the drive alive.
Second half struggles and the math that caught up as Carson’s offense cooled in the second half. Fields began the third quarter with six straight incompletions. Timing fell off. Drives stalled. Penalties began to creep in, extending Kennedy possessions and shrinking Carson’s margin for error.
Still, the Colts fought. They reached the end zone late and cut the deficit to two. But because of the blocked PAT in the first quarter, Carson could not kick to tie the game. They were forced to attempt a two-point conversion.
Kennedy stopped it.
A blocked extra point at the beginning and a stopped two-point conversion at the end. Two plays, two points, and a season closed.
After the loss, the bigger picture took center stage, The field was still full.
On one sideline, Kennedy celebrated loudly, cheering, laughing, and taking pictures with their fans as they prepared for their state championship appearance.
On the opposite sideline, silence. Carson players sat in full pads, staring at the turf, letting the weight of the moment sink in.
That is when the seniors stepped forward.
Forming a huddle around their younger teammates, they spoke with cracked voices and heavy emotion. They told them to carry this feeling into next year, use the loss as fuel, and continue the standard this group had rebuilt. They reminded the underclassmen that Carson football had reclaimed its identity this season and that it was now their turn to protect it.
Later, in a separate conversation, the team’s academic counselor shared how proud he was of the group. He meets with players throughout the year to review grades, NCAA requirements, and credit recovery options. His role is making sure their classroom performance stays aligned with their athletic goals.
“We had a great year,” he said. “You saw the boys get better every week. The growth was amazing.”
An assistant coach who works as a registered nurse during the day and coaches in the evenings echoed the same sentiment. He spoke about how many players juggle schoolwork, practice schedules, family responsibilities, and college aspirations. Their discipline, he said, is what impressed him most.
The message from both men was clear: the season ended, but the growth continues.
A season that meant something, the Colts did not get the ending they dreamed of, but they earned something real this year.
They won the Open Division. They reignited a proud football community. They brought energy back to the to their campus, and to their city.
A 35–33 loss does not erase any of that.
This team leaves behind a standard, a foundation, and a room full of younger players who now know exactly what it takes to climb this far. The seniors are gone, but their message remains:
Take the pain. – Correct the mistakes. – Finish the story. – And make us proud.
