Jerry Misaalefua's breakout year has Carson football in Open City title conversation

Misaalefua has tallied 37 tackles, 551 yards, seven touchdowns, and Carson 4-0.

For the last three football seasons, the big question in the Los Angeles City Section has been: who will challenge Birmingham Charter for the Open Division title?

In 2023, the question remains the same after the Patriots (3-1) claimed their third straight Open crown last fall. However, the answer might be different. 

It could be Carson High (4-0) led by two-way standout Jerry Misaalefua, the team's leading tackler at linebacker and leading rusher at running back. In four games, Misaalefua has tallied 37 tackles, 551 yards and seven touchdowns.

The senior's breakout year has him in City Player of the Year talks and has the Colts in the Open Division City title conversation.

"He doesn't come off the field," Carson coach Mike Christensen said of Misaalefua. "He's a tremendous competitor, a great character kid, great grades — he has the whole package. He's a very special football player."

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When the Colts took down Franklin in Week 1, 49-7, it created a buzz. The last two weeks, Carson has beaten two CIF Southern Section programs in North Torrance and Paramount, 21-7 and 56-7, respectively.

"We're learning. Our kids are working hard and starting to put it together," Christensen said. 

But when it comes to season goals, the Colts don't like to get to ahead of themselves.

"We're week to week, day by day," Misaalefua said. "We try to focus on the task at hand, which is whatever game we have the upcoming week."

Carson has won 11 City titles in its history — the last coming in 2003. The program won CIF State titles in 1971 and 1988. It even won a national title in 1971 led by wideout Wesley Walker. The Colts aren't eyeing a national title, but Misaalefua said the buzz on campus is palpable.

"Carson has a rich (football) tradition, win or lose, the city will always have love for you," he said. "Winning is a lot better, though."

The Colts haven't won a Marine League title since 2018. It will need to take down the likes of Narbonne (2-2), San Pedro (2-2) and Banning (3-1) to lift a league title this season. But even if Carson doesn't win the league, the team is trending toward an Open Division playoff berth.

"We're in the toughest league in the City," Christensen said.

Two of the three opponents to face Birmingham in the Open Division City final have been teams from the Marine League. Banning in 2019 and San Pedro in 2021. Garfield from the Eastern League was the runner-up in 2022.

Other notable players on Carson include junior Kameryn Hurst, who has four interceptions already this season and junior Dayton Norris, who leads the team in receiving yards and sacks.