North Torrance rides Williams' big plays

WILMINGTON >> The rain raged throughout Friday's North Torrance-Banning nonleague showdown.

So did North Torrance's Dylan Williams.

Williams took the game by storm, scoring four touchdowns on offense and making two interceptions on defense as North broke away late for a rainy 40-16 victory over Banning in a game stopped by officials with 3 minutes left following a scuffle.

Still Williams reigned in the rain.

“I loved the rain,” Williams said. “It brings out the beast mode in me, that dog inside of me.”

It was raining cats, dogs and big plays by Williams.

Williams set the tone in the first half by scoring two touchdowns in a span of 19 seconds — a 28-yard scoring run and a 23-yard TD catch of a pass from Trevor Lagarde for a 14-3 lead in the first quarter.

Williams recorded an interception to thwart a late first-half drive by Banning and protect a 21-10 halftime lead. Then his 1-yard scoring run with 39.3 seconds left in the third quarter started a late deluge to give North a 27-16 lead.

His fourth-quarter interception seemed to put the game on ice and set up his curtain call, a 20-yard touchdown catch for a 3415 lead as North (3-1) won its third consecutive game.

“I was locked in since I woke up today,” Williams said. “That was one of my better performances I've ever had. I felt like I let the game come to me.”

By the time North's Ben Fonseca padded the lead with a 12-yard touchdown run with 4:30 left for a 4016 lead, tempers began to flare on both sides.

When they needed to be separated on the next play from scrimmage, the head official approached Banning coach Raymond Grajeda about the possibility of stopping the game with 3 minutes left. Some of the tension extended postgame as heated words were exchanged by assistant coaches on both sides.

“There was no need to carry on at that point and possibly get some kids ejected,” Grajeda said. “It was time to get the kids home safe on both sides. Kudos to North, they were the better team. But this was to protect both sides.”

Banning's Victor Navarro provided a spark and had the Pilots within striking distance in the third quarter with an interception and 25-yard return to the North 20-yard line.

Two plays later, Caleb Nuhi-Yandall bowled over several defenders for a 14yard touchdown run to help Banning (2-2) close within 21-16 with 8:54 left in the third quarter.

“We played three quarters, they played four quarters,” Grajeda said. “They've got some sprints coming at our next practice.”

Nuhi-Yandall rushed for 147 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries for Banning. Juan Pablo Becerra converted a 22yard field goal for Banning, which hosts Palos Verdes next Friday.

Grajeda said Banning struggled to stop North's big-play propensity.

“Going into halftime, we felt we were competing with them, we felt we could score with them,” Grajeda said. “The difference was those big plays. Those two quick touchdowns in the first half can take the breath out of you.

“If they march down the field, you feel they earned it. But there is no way to come back from those big plays. And they had a lot of big plays.”

Lagarde finished with three passing touchdowns and one interception. He also hit Felix Alvillar for a 5-yard touchdown pass for a 21-10 halftime lead.

Williams had four catches for 68 yards and two scoring catches while adding 46 rushing yards and two TDs on six carries.