Football: Coliseum League title on line Thursday

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If recent results are any indication, the winner of the game between Crenshaw and Dorsey on Thursday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium seems assured of an undefeated record in Coliseum League play.

Since 2002, the winner of the rivalry game has won the league title with a perfect 5-0 league record. Crenshaw also finished with a 5-0 league record in 2001, although it took a forfeit victory over Fremont to get there.

‘Ever since it’s been the Coliseum League [in 1998], it’s been the two of us,’ said Dorsey Coach Paul Knox, whose team has split its last four meetings with the Cougars.

Although Dorsey (6-1 overall, 2-0 league) brings the better record into this year’s game, Crenshaw (4-2, 2-0) has played a far more difficult schedule that has included Norco (20-0 loss), Fontana Miller (15-12 loss) and Lakewood (42-34 loss that later became a forfeit victory).

‘We know that they’ve been more tested than we have been,’ Knox said. ‘They’ve seen four or five really strong teams.’

Knox said the lack of early tests was a factor in Dorsey’s 44-6 loss to Lake Balboa Birmingham earlier this month, but he believes that the experience of playing the Patriots will help the Dons take on the explosive Cougars.

Beating Crenshaw will entail stopping quarterback Marquis Thompson, running backs DeAnthony Thomas and Hayes Pullard, and receiver Noel Grigsby.

‘We have to limit their big-play scoring opportunities to keep pace,’ Knox said. ‘If we let them turn it into a track meet, we’re going to be in trouble.’

And so the challenge has been issued to a Dorsey defense that relies on strong safety Darius Turner, rover Kevin Moore and linebackers Vaness Harris and Anthony Scott.

‘They’re the four guys really making the plays for us on defense,’ Knox said.

--Ben Bolch