Allen Carter graduated in 1971 (just missing the first Smudge pot game) and was considered one of the best running back recruits in the nation. He ran for 4388 yards and 70 touchdowns during his three years on the Bonita varsity team breaking several records set by Glenn Davis. In a game against Chino in 1970, Carter scored 4 touchdowns and gained 137 yards. Bonita’s coach Larry Zeno said, “Allen was just tremendous”. When the coach for Chino was asked for his analysis on the game, he shared, “It would have been close if Carter hadn’t been there”. During Carter’s time at Bonita, the cross town rival was Claremont High School. In his senior year, he scored 6 touchdowns to help Bonita defeat Claremont 46-29. The Bearcats were San Antonio League Champions both his junior (’69) and senior (’70) years making it to the CIF finals.
In the off season awards, Allen Carter was voted the League MVP, member of All-San Gabriel Valley and ALL-CIF teams, Most Valuable Player in CIF and a consensus All-American. In addition to football, Allen competed in track and field and was the California state champion in the 100 yard dash in his junior year, running the race in 9.7 seconds. Allen was voted “Powder Puff” king and most athletic by his classmates in 1971.
Allen played college football at USC leading the freshman team in rushing. He suffered injuries his junior year limiting his time in the backfield behind star running back Anthony Davis. As a senior, Allen played behind Davis and rushed for 580 yards on 111 caries for a 5.2 average helping USC to a national Championship. Allen’s best game was in the 1975 Rose Bowl where he rushed for 75 yards after Davis suffered an injury in the first half.
Carter was drafted in the 4th round with the 86th pick of the 1975 NFL draft by the Patriots. Carter was primarily a kick returner for the Patriots. He rushed 22 times for 95 yards that season while catching 2 passes for 39 yards. He was a successful kick return specialist, returning 32 kicks for 879 yards for a league leading 27.5 yards per return average. His 32 returns ranked 7th in the NFL that year while his 879 yards ranked 6th and his 27.5 average ranked 3rd. In the final game of the season against the Baltimore Colts, Carter returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Carter would play one more year in the NFL where his season was shortened due to a knee injury. After his football career ended, Carter became a teacher, activities director and assistant football coach at Anaheim High School. “Four different opposing coaches told me what a gentleman Allen was and how much he knew about football,” Anaheim High School Principal, Craig Haugen said. “I had never had that happen before. I found out what they liked about him. He cares a great deal about the kids. That’s the type of person you need at a school.” Carter would later become the head football coach where he would coach future NFL running back Reuben Droughns.
Allen’s 1970 State Championship race
