CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET: SMITH'S INTERCEPTION SEALS VICTORY TAFT WIDE RECEIVER COMES UP BIG TAFT 17, CARSON 14.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

CARSON - Taft receiver Steve Smith was available to play defensive back only in case of an emergency Wednesday night, and when a four-alarm situation developed, Smith came to the rescue.

Smith intercepted a pass in the end zone with 1:20 remaining in the game and sixth-seeded Taft held on to beat third-seeded Carson 17-14 in the quarterfinals of the City Section football playoffs at Carson High.

Smith, who missed the Toreadors' past two games with a sore shoulder, caught nine passes for 173 yards and played only the final two series on defense. Carson (9-2) had the ball on the Taft 5-yard line with 1:45 to play, but delay-of-game and holding penalties backed up the Colts to the Taft 24.

On second down, Carson quarterback Jason Tialavea scrambled to his right and heaved the ball toward the end zone. Smith, also one of the region's top basketball players, soared over two Colts and made the interception.

``It's just like him to intercept that pass,'' said Taft coach Troy Starr, whose team improved to 9-2 and will face second-seeded Crenshaw in the semifinals. ``He was still a little tender, so that's why he didn't play much defense, but he was there when we needed him.

``He's one of the best high school football players in the United States right now. I want somebody to show me one who is better.''

Smith also made a big fourth-quarter play on offense. After the Colts took a 14-10 lead with 8:24 remaining, Taft started a drive on its own 26 and picked up 7 yards on a pass from Cary Dove to Paul Pratt.

On second down, Dove scrambled right and threw a long pass toward Smith, who was being double-teamed. Smith looked back at just the correct time, timed his jump perfectly and brought down a 60-yard pass, giving Taft the ball at the Carson 7.

The Toreadors hurried to the line of scrimmage, and Dove took the snap and dashed up the middle for the touchdown with 7:03 to play.

Each team punted on its next possession, and Carson got the ball back at its own 43 with 3:53 to play. Seven plays later, Tialavea completed a 13- yard pass to Marcus McCall, down to the Taft 5, but with 1:45 left and one time out, Carson coach John Aguirre chose to spike the ball on first down.

Carson was then called for delay of game, even though the Colts had just come out of a timeout, and lost 14 yards on the next play because of a holding penalty, forcing Tialavea to throw to the end zone, where Smith was waiting.

``I wanted to play last week, but my parents kept me out,'' Smith said.

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Photo:

Taft receiver Steve Smith gets taken down by a Carson defender in the second quarter Wednesday night.

Lisa Billings/Staff Photographer