FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Garfield Surprises Banning, 7-6, in Opening Round

Paced by two blocked kicks and a ball-control offense, Garfield upset last year’s City Section 4-A Division finalist Banning, 7-6, in the first round of Friday’s playoffs at Gardena High.

Garfield running back Ernie Manzo provided the margin of victory by blocking a punt at the 50-yard line with 10:16 left and scampering downfield to recover the ball at the Banning 14. After losses of five and one yards, quarterback David Villalobos connected with Manzo for a 20-yard touchdown pass.

Banning answered on the next possession with a 76-yard drive that ended in a touchdown run by quarterback Vaimagalo Faavi-tua’au, but Louie Sandoval blocked the extra point for Garfield.

Garfield limited Banning’s offense to 151 yards. Villalobos completed six of 12 passes for 67 yards with one interception and Manzo rushed for 46 yards in nine carries.