South Gate showed the utmost class in victory over Dorsey during the high school football playoffs in California on Saturday. It was a small act of sportsmanship that will be the lasting image of a hard-fought game that went down to the wire.
In a world of so much negativity, and a sport that often grabs headlines with brawls and controversy, there is something truly refreshing about mutual respect.
All it takes is one high school football player to step up as a leader. His teammates often follow suit, as we saw in the greater Los Angeles area over the weekend.
South Gate beat Dorsey in the California high school football playoffs.
South Gate High School is located in the South Gate region of Los Angeles, approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown. It enrolls ~1,800 students in Grades 9-12.
Susan Miller Dorsey Senior High School, better known as just Dorsey, is located right on the border of Baldwin Hills and Crenshaw. It enrolls ~1,000 students in Grades 9-12.
These two high school football programs met in the CIF L.A. City Section semifinals on Saturday. The Rams were the host team at 9-3. The Dons were the visiting team at 7-5.
There was a lot of discussion about where this game would be played because of the field conditions at Dorsey throughout the week after heavy rain. The natural grass surface was ultimately deemed up to standard so the game was played as schedule. Dorsey defeated South Gate by a final score of 28-20.
Edward Castro sealed the win for the Rams with an interception late in the fourth quarter.
Great Team Win vs Dorsey on to the championship, got the game winning interception! @CoachP1311 @Q5_training_ @CoachG_Hdez @SouthGateFB @latsondheimer @LACitySection @ciscolution pic.twitter.com/xcFpCMDheP
— Edward Castro (@edward_castro11) November 23, 2025
However, it was not the final score that matters.
High character results in sportsmanship and respect.
Both teams gathered at midfield after the clock hit zero to shake hands. South Gate quarterback Michael Gonzalez heard someone crying as he went down the line.
It was not one, but two players. Gonzalez knew one of them but not the other.
He immediately stopped what he was doing to console the Dorsey player he did not know. William Smith had tears running down his face as he rested on a knee with his helmet off.
Gonzalez told Eric Sondheimer exactly what he said to Smith.
“There’s more to life than just football. You got college. Keep your head up. It was a good game.”
Many of his teammates took a similar approach to victory, helping their opponent to hold their heads high after a hard-fought battle. Nick Koza captured a powerful image of the moment.
Michael Gonzalez gave credit to his mom and his coaches for his strong character. He was always taught to “be a good person no matter what.”
South Gate will play Marquez in the CIF L.A. City Section championship game on Saturday. Win or lose, Gonzalez and the Rams won’t be defined by the result.