HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL / CITY SECTION 4-A SEMIFINAL : Sylmar’s Price Is Right in Victory Over Carson

Whether Carson High deserved to qualify for the City Section 4-A playoffs became a moot question Friday night before an overflow crowd at Sylmar High.

Carson, which entered the playoffs with a 2-8 record after forfeiting three of its games because of an ineligible player, was ousted after losing in the semifinals to fifth-ranked Sylmar, 27-19.

Durell Price rushed for 237 yards in 25 carries and scored four touchdowns to make sure Sylmar would advance to next Saturday’s championship game against Crenshaw at El Camino College.

Regardless of the machinations that got the Colts into the playoffs, “I just couldn’t see a (4-A) playoffs without Carson competing in them,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said after the Spartans raised their record to 13-0. “They weren’t a 4-8 ballclub. They have great talent on that team.

“I’m just glad we got a chance to decide who the better team was on the field.”

Price scored in every quarter, and three of the touchdowns were spectacular.

His 48-yard run down the right sideline with 7:18 to play gave Sylmar a 27-12 lead.

“It means the world to me (beating Carson),” Price said. “All week long, I had been daydreaming about beating them and now the dream came true. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Carson had beaten the Spartans, 22-21, in last year’s 4-A semifinals.

“We practiced all week long with the scoreboard showing, 22-21,” Price said. “I couldn’t get that score out of my head--until now.”

On Price’s first score, a 51-yard run, he ran around right end and went untouched into the end zone, giving the Spartans a 7-0 lead.

Midway through the second quarter, he fumbled on his own 22-yard line. The ball was scooped up by Carson’s Eric David, who returned it 78 yards to cut the lead to 7-6.

Price answered with 1:52 remaining in the half when he scored on a 52-yard run.

He added a one-yard run in the third quarter, putting Sylmar up, 20-6.