Crespi has to stop Scott

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First it was Ryan Bass and now it’s Darrell Scott (right).

It just seems a little unfair Crespi has to face two of the best running backs in Southern California in back-to-back games. Of course, the Celts aren’t feeling sorry for themselves. Following their loss two weeks ago to a Corona Centennial team riding the Bass burners, the Celts are anxious to prove they can halt a top-caliber RB.

“They’ve all got a little chip on their shoulder,” Crespi Coach Jeremiah Ross said. “They’re a little upset about what happened two weeks ago, so I know they want this one.”

I know Crespi is a talented team and it’ll definitely give Notre Dame a run for the Serra League title. But I just don’t think they have what it takes to stop Scott, who rushed for 285 yards and five TDs against a decent Oaks Christian defense last week. What made his performance even more impressive is that he did this while recovering from a flu bug which bit him a week earlier.

“We need to do what we can to stop him and we need to hold onto the ball as much as possible,” Ross said. “We have to have some sustained drives and stay out of three-and-outs.”

To do that, Crespi needs to get more production from RBs E.J. Woods and Austin Shanks. QB Bryan Bennett has shown potential, but the sophomore isn’t ready to pick apart a St. Bonny defense that made Oaks Christian’s offense look, at times, remarkably tame.

“I think it’s going to be a fight the whole way through,” Ross said.

(Highlights of the Crespi-Centennial game are on the video)

What: No. 3 St. Bonaventure vs. No. 5 Crespi
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pierce College
Prediction: St. Bonaventure 35, Crespi 20

- Austin Knoblauch

--Image by Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times