Garfield Eliminates Banning

For the second consecutive season, East Los Angeles Garfield High defeated once-mighty Wilmington Banning in the first round of the City Section 4-A playoffs.

The Bulldogs beat the Pilots, 28-20, Friday night at Garfield High in front of 3,000 fans to advance to quarterfinal round.

“This proves a point--that we can play with anyone in the city,” Garfield Coach John Aguirre said.

Last season, the Bulldogs stunned Banning, 7-6, and advanced to the semifinals.

Banning, a longtime power, advanced to the City championship as recently as 1991.

“Wouldn’t you be frustrated as a coach losing to them twice like that?” Banning Coach Ed Paculba said.

The clinching touchdown for the Bulldogs (10-1) came on a trick play in the fourth quarter.

On fourth and 18 from the Banning 28, Garfield wide receiver Braulio De la Torre took a handoff from quarterback David Guerra and threw a pass to Guerra.

Guerra caught the ball between three Pilot defenders at the 10, broke a tackle and scored the final points of the game.

A late drive by Banning (6-5) ended at the Bulldog 10-yard line when running back Ricardo Diaz fumbled on fourth and one.

Diaz rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns in 31 carries.

Garfield’s Armando Figueroa ran for 189 yards and a touchdown in 22 carries.