Crespi’s drive ends with fumble ... What’s up with Shoemate?

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If the opening minutes of the first quarter between Servite and Crespi is any indication, the Friars could be in trouble in this Pac-5 Division semifinal game.

Crespi’s defense stopped three consecutive running plays by converted lineman Stuart Hein of Servite to start the game, forcing a punt. If the Friars were trying to fool the Celts by using D.J. Shoemate as a decoy, it didn’t work.

Crespi took over the ball on its 31 and started moving down field. E.J. Woods had a couple of effective runs. A holding penalty wiped out a 28-yard TD run by Austin Shanks, pictured from earlier game. But sophomore QB Bryan Bennett looked sharp, completing passes of 19 yards to Blake Stanton and 15 yards to Joseph Fauria.

Woods fumbled on the five-yard line, with Servite’s Bijon Samoodi recovering. A big break for the Friars.

But there’s something strange going on. Servite has run the ball five consecutive times, and Shoemate’s number has yet to be called. Either he is simly being used as a decoy or he’s hurt.

--Eric Sondheimer

-- Image by Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times