Crenshaw’s Dominique Hatfield caught this long pass to set up a touchdown. Hatfield caught four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in the game, and he intercepted two passes, returning one for a 32-yard touchdown. Photo by Jason Lewis
Crenshaw quarterback Ajene Harris completed eight of 15 passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 57 yards. Photo by Jason Lewis
Dorsey and Crenshaw fans showed up in numbers at Jackie Robinson Stadium this past Friday night, but only Crenshaw fans went home happy, as their team pretty much had their way with Dorsey, giving Crenshaw a sixth victory out of the last seven games in the series.
Dorsey came out the gates swinging in a game where they were the underdogs, and it appeared that they had their chances in the game. On the first play of the game Dorsey quarterback Reginald Bell threw a deep pass to wide receiver David Williams, who was behind Crenshaw’s defense. What could have been a touchdown to start the game ended up an incomplete pass because the ball was overthrown.
That incomplete pass led to the first of three consecutive 3 & outs for Dorsey’s offense, but Crenshaw did not take much time to get it going. On their first offensive series they marched right down the field and receiver Dominique Hatfield caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ajene Harris.
The game remained 7-0 in favor of Crenshaw until the second quarter, when they intercepted Bell on three consecutive passes. Hatfield, who also plays cornerback, recorded the first interception. Teammate Mossi Johnson picked off Bell on Dorsey’s very next drive, which led to a 24-yard touchdown catch by Crenshaw receiver Max Lyons, who played for Dorsey last season.
On the very next play from scrimmage Hatfield stepped in front of a curl route, intercepted the ball, and returned it for a 32-yard touchdown, giving Crenshaw a 21-0 lead heading into halftime.
The rout was on the verge of being on, but Dorsey showed some life at the beginning of the 3rd quarter. After an onside kick to start the 2nd half, Bell scored on a 4-yard run, cutting the lead to 21-7. Dorsey’s defense then forced a 3 & out and they got the ball back at midfield.
At this point it looked like Dorsey could get back in the game, and again Bell went deep to Williams, who was behind Crenshaw’s defense again. But again the ball was overthrown, preventing another easy touchdown.
If Dorsey could have cut the score to 21-14, they would have been in business, but instead Crenshaw forces a stop, marches right down the field, and a 22-yard touchdown run by running back Corey Walker gave them a 28-7 lead, and pretty much ending the game.
Crenshaw went on to win the game 34-14, and the win gives them the Coliseum League championship. Barring any upsets in league play, Crenshaw should get the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, with Narbonne taking the top spot.
Venice could be a party crasher
Everybody who follows City Section high school football is starting to talk about a potential Narbonne/Crenshaw match up in the championship game. Narbonne would be the favorite, but Crenshaw could give them a run for their money.
But there is one team that could gum up the works, and that is Venice. Barring any upsets in league play, they should grab the No. 3 seed, which more than likely will pit them against Crenshaw in the semifinal round.
Like every season, Venice schedules a tough non-league schedule, takes their lumps, and then rolls right through the Western League. Well so far in league play Venice is making a mockery of their opponents. They defeated Westchester, Hamilton, and University by a combined score of 174-0.
Now that was against teams who have a combined record of 6-18 (all three teams are 2-6). Venice should get some tougher competition from Palisades and Fairfax, who are both 5-3, but they will be heavy favorites against both of those teams.
Venice’s two losses were to Southern Section powers Chaminade, who defeated them 37-20, and Oaks Christian, 35-17. Venice was competitive in those two losses.
Crenshaw defeated Oaks Christian 13-2, and both Venice and Crenshaw beat Dorsey. Venice winning 35-12, and Crenshaw winning 34-14.
Crenshaw would be a favorite over Venice, but if that game happens, do not advance Crenshaw to the championship game too quickly. Venice could rain on their parade.
Is Inglewood legit?
Inglewood is 6-2, they somewhat proved themselves by beating Culver City two weeks ago, and they just blew out Hawthorne 45-6. But they still have to pass another test, and that will be this Friday when they host Santa Monica. Both teams are undefeated in the Ocean League.
Week 8 scores, Week 9 schedule
Last week’s scores
Crenshaw 34, Dorsey 14
Rancho Dominguez 22, West Adams 0
Carson 53, Washington 0
Gardena 23, Banning 17 (2OT)
Narbonne 28, San Pedro 7
Venice 57, University 0
Fairfax 42, Hamilton 8
Palisades 36, Westchester 24
Jefferson 48, Angelou 2
Fremont 37, Santee 20
Roosevelt 34, Jordan 7
Los Angeles 34, South Region 2 31
Douglass 44, Sun Valley 0
View Park 50, Animo South Los Angeles 0
Serra 42, St. Francis 6
Redondo 45, Leuzinger 26
Cathedral 29, St. Paul 16
Lakewood 47, Long Beach Jordan 12
Long Beach Poly 54, Millikan 16
Long Beach Wilson 21, Long Beach Cabrillo 19
Inglewood 45, Hawthorne 6
Morningside 14, Beverly Hills 0
Santa Monica 17, Culver City 3
South Torrance 21, Lawndale 0
Torrance 21, Compton Centennial 12
Dominguez 31, Gahr 3
Lynwood 35, Warren 19
This week’s schedule
(All games are Friday at 7 p.m. unless noted)
West Adams (0-7) at Crenshaw (7-1)
Locke (2-5) at Dorsey (4-4)
Manual Arts at Rancho Dominguez Prep (3-5)
Palisades (5-3) at Venice (6-2)
Westchester (2-6) at Fairfax (5-3)
Hamilton (2-6) at University (2-6)
Banning (3-5) at San Pedro (5-3)
Narbonne (8-0) at Washington (4-4)
Carson (2-6) at Gardena (7-1)
Fremont (4-4) at Jefferson (5-3)
Santee (4-4) at Los Angeles (4-4)
View Park (5-3) at Douglass (3-4), Thursday
St. Paul (1-7) at Serra (6-2)
Cathedral (7-1) at Harvard-Westlake (6-2), Saturday
Long Beach Wilson (3-5) at Long Beach Poly (5-3)
Lakewood (7-2) at Millikan (0-8)
Long Beach Jordan (3-5) at Compton (2-6)
Dominguez (4-4) at Downey (5-3)
Lynwood (3-5) at Gahr (3-5)
Morningside (5-3) at Culver City (4-4)
Santa Monica (5-3) at Inglewood (6-2)
Hawthorne (1-7) at Beverly Hills (1-7)
Leuzinger (1-7) at Mira Costa (5-3)
Torrance (4-4) at Lawndale (3-5)
El Segundo (4-4) at Centennial (2-6)
St. Anthony (5-3) at Verbum Dei (1-6)
Sentinel Top 10
1. Narbonne (8-0)
2. Crenshaw (7-1)
3. Venice (6-2)
4. Serra (6-2)
5. Long Beach Poly (5-3)
6. Cathedral (7-1)
7. Lakewood (7-2)
8. Inglewood (6-2)
9. Palisades (5-3)
10. Dorsey (4-4)
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