One of the most iconic grudge matches that inner-city Los Angeles can offer transpired this weekend. After two years of defeat, the Crenshaw Cougars prevailed victorious with a 33-14 win over the Dorsey Dons.
The rivalry match featured new starting quarterbacks: Crenshaw’s Isaiah Johnson and Dorsey’s Isaiah Smalls.
“We haven’t beat Dorsey in many years,” said Johnson. “Now it’s time to bring the championship back home and let everybody know who run L.A.”
Crenshaw scored a touchdown on their first possession by running back Solomon Hassen. When the Dons gained possession, they were unable to advance beyond their territory.
Johnson darted the ball to senior wide receiver Dennis Patrick to earn a second touchdown.
Dorsey rallied back in the second quarter. The Dons started on Crenshaw’s 28-yard line, carries by Smalls and junior running back Charles Mincy Jr. landed Dorsey with a first and two yards. Sophomore running back Jojuan Collins charged into the end zone to begin the seven-point play.
Two plays later, Hassen broke free from a tackle to earn a 73-yard touchdown run. The Cougars led 20-7 with 7:17 left in the second period. Penalties and incomplete passes would cut the Don’s possession short.
“I had to break,” Hassen said about his touchdown run. “Actually, they told me not to quit the play because I thought I was down.”
A 29-yard pass to senior wide receiver James Day put Crenshaw in the red zone. Johnson then scored a rushing touchdown for the Cougars.
Early in the third quarter, Dorsey recovered a fumble from Crenshaw. A scramble and a pass put Mincy Jr. in the right position to score a rushing touchdown. Dorsey closed the gap to 14-27.
Once Dorsey regained their next possession, they fumbled after four plays. Crenshaw’s offense returned to the field, but could not score.
Dorsey gathered more penalties near the end of the third and throughout the fourth quarter. Crenshaw kept the ball on the ground with Hassen who ran in another touchdown with 2:31 left in regulation.
Smalls threw the ball to Mincy to create a 26-yard play, putting Dorsey on Crenshaw’s 25-yard line. Day intercepted a pass from Smalls with 1:35 left in the game.
Many current students and alumni witnessed the rivalry game. Chargers linebacker and Crenshaw alum Hayes Pullard stopped by before heading to Oakland to play the Raiders. Nevada Wolf Pack assistant coach Eric Scott was also in attendance. The Wolf Pack gained former Dorsey safety Mar’Quette Jackson and Crenshaw quarterback Daiyan Henley this season.
Both Dorsey and Crenshaw have produced NCAA and NFL stars. Dorsey touts Super Bowl Champion Keyshawn Johnson; most of the Dons coaching staff are Dorsey alums, including head coach Charles Mincy and former Pac-10 players Stafon Johnson and Jovon Hayes. Former Houston Texan Rahim Moore and Jacksonville Jaguar Jaydon Mickens are also Dons.
Super Bowl champion Brandon Mebane, Kansas City wide out De’Athony Thomas, and Rams cornerback Dominique Hatfield prepped at Crenshaw.
Dorsey’s next opponent will be the Hawkins Hawks and Crenshaw will face the View Park Knights on Friday, October 20.
