San Pedro High football wasn't even considered a threat during their struggles in the 1970's and most of the 1980's until Mike Walsh became the head coach of the Pirates in 1991. 

Then everything changed after that.

Closing out the 2012 season in style, San Pedro would defeat visiting Washington Prep of Los Angeles, 45-7 in a Marine League finale and in the process, Walsh got his 200th career victory in 22 years of coaching. The Pirates (7-3 overall, 3-2 in league) broke open a surprisingly close game by scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter to seal up third place in the Marine League as they prepare for the upcoming CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division I playoffs which begins next Friday.

To top it all off, it was all achieved on San Pedro's 2012 Homecoming night.

Before Walsh came on the scene, San Pedro was never able to win a City Section title, and had problems against perennial powers Banning of Wilmington and Carson. In Walsh's 22 seasons, the Pirates have won five City championships (one co-championship in 2008), eight league titles, and reached the City title game seven times, with two runner-up finishes in 1995 and 2006. San Pedro also finally ended futility against Banning and Carson.

When the game ended, Walsh was honored by the school and the entire San Pedro community, and was awarded a plaque commemorating the achievement from Los Angeles City Councilman Of The 15th District, Joe Buscaino, who is also a San Pedro High alumni.

San Pedro would bolt to a 17-0 halftime lead on a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter from senior running back Darrell Santiago, a 30-yard field goal by senior kicker Christian Gonzalez later in the quarter, and a 15-yard touchdown run by senior running back Jesse Gutierrez with 5:58 left in the second quarter, but the Generals (4-6, 0-4) made things interesting when senior quarterback Damien Murrillo threw a 8-yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Michael Wilson on the opening second half possession, cutting their deficit down to 17-7.

From there, the Pirates would take control in the first quarter.

First, there was a five-yard touchdown run from senior WR/LB Pete Palacios, then Gonzalez recovered a fumble, and Santiago would score on the next play with a 10-yard touchdown run. Senior linebacker Joseph Stanovich recovered another fumble, and four plays later senior running back Gregory Thomas would rush for an 11-yard touchdown. Finally, sophomore running back Chris Alvidrez would run for an eight-yard touchdown.

Santiago finished with 79 yards on 14 carries for San Pedro, and Thomas ran for 80 yards on ten carries. Junior linebacker Michael Hannifn had an interception for the first of three turnovers created by the Pirates' defense.

Murrillo completed 15-of-28 passes for 152 yards for Washington, who dropped their 23rd straight Marine League game, but didn't make things easy for San Pedro in the first 36 minutes. The Generals still have an outside shot at making the City Section Division II playoffs.

Playoff pairings for the CIF-Los Angeles City Section will be announced later today.