Football: Carson stuns Narbonne, 39-35, to take over first place in Marine League

Hold off on those predictions that Narbonne was going to play defending champion Crenshaw for the City Section Division I championship on Dec. 6 at the Coliseum.

It still might happen, but Carson (7-2, 4-0) inserted itself into the debate with a 39-35 victory over Narbonne on Friday night, taking over first place in the Marine League. If Carson defeats San Pedro next week, the Colts will be league champs and could be the No. 1 seed for the Division I playoffs. If the Colts lose, there likely would be a three-way tie for first among the Colts, San Pedro and Narbonne.

Whatever happens next week, Carson showed opponents how to beat Narbonne (5-4, 3-1). “Credit to them,” Narbonne Coach Manuel Douglas said. “If they had success, they ran it again and again and again.”

Learn the name Jabari Minix. He’s a running back, receiver and defensive back. “He is a player,” Douglas said.

He scored three touchdowns in the first half for Carson. But it was a 32-yard touchdown pass from Kiki Flores to Brandon Hasson with just over three minutes left that gave the Colts the lead for good. Adrean Hooper finished with 111 yards rushing.

Narbonne’s offense was held to seven points in the second half, hurt by two fumbles.

Carson’s only losses this season were to Gardena Serra and unbeaten West Torrance. The Marine League could have three of the four top seeds when pairings are announced next Saturday.

Crenshaw (6-3) has been rolling through the Coliseum League, but now Carson, under Coach Kevin McCall, is suddenly on everyone’s radar as a team to reckon with.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer