Column: Venice starts a new streak in high school football
A week ago, Venice football players watched in disbelief as the school’s 43-game Western League winning streak came to an end in a 14-7 loss to University.
On Friday night, Kemontae Dafney made an interception in the end zone as time expired to preserve a 31-28 victory over Palisades, putting Venice (2-5, 1-1) back into title contention.
“The guys were pretty excited,” Coach Angelo Gasca said. “It’s a lot funner watching our guys celebrate than the other team.”
Dafney caught nine passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns and also ran back a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The league is now wide open, with Hamilton at 2-0 and Venice, Palisades, Fairfax and University all 1-1.
“Maybe it eased the tension for our team that they didn’t have to worry about the streak and they could go out and play freer,” Gasca said.
Romans are 6-1
Los Angeles (6-1, 3-1) upset Hawkins, 21-8, in the Exposition League. The Romans have a revived program under first-year Coach Eric Scott.
Sophomore quarter Kaymen Cureton completed 10 of 14 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown. Senior Richard Smith rushed for 167 yards and one touchdown. Los Angeles, Hawkins, West Adams and Rancho Dominguez all have one loss.
Wild Trinity League
Another week and more wild games in the Trinity League.
Santa Margarita overcame a 41-21 fourth-quarter deficit to defeat Orange Lutheran, 42-41. KJ Costello set school records for most completions (34), most attempts (47) and most yards passing (495). He passed for four touchdowns and ran for two. Kyle Sweet caught 15 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns and made the game-winning PAT with 18 seconds left.
In St. John Bosco’s 49-44 victory over JSerra, Sean McGrew rushed for 385 yards and scored five touchdowns, including running 70 yards on a fake punt.
State record
Kevin Robledo of Westlake Village Westlake made three field goals against Newbury Park, giving him a state-record 40 in his career.
“He’s a great kid and deserving of everything,” Coach Jim Benkert said. “He’s been everything we wanted and more.”
Top efforts
Josh Love of Long Beach Poly had seven touchdown passes in Long Beach Poly’s 49-7 win over Lakewood. . . . Alex Shelton of Hollywood Bernstein rushed for 291 yards and four touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Contreras. . . . Damian Garcia of La Puente Bishop Amat passed for 418 yards and five touchdowns in a 52-22 win over West Hills Chaminade. . . . Blake Barnett of Corona Santiago passed for 498 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-35 win over Riverside King.
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