Crespi Gets Its Third White Wash

Bolstered by Russell White’s legs and the arm of Robert O’Bryne, Crespi High did just about anything it pleased Friday night in a 48-0 rout of Santa Clara.

The outcome was never in question. The Celts would have had Don Meredith singing long before the final minutes. Carol Burnett would have tugged on her ear all night long.

On Crespi’s first play from scrimmage, Russell White flew over left tackle for 16 yards. Seven plays later, O’Bryne, the Crespi quarterback, hit John Carpenter over the middle and the tight end lumbered into the end zone. After Jon Budge kicked the conversion, the Celts were on their way with a 7-0 lead. The next two touchdowns belonged to White, who crossed the goal line from one and five yards out. White, the nephew of Los Angeles Rams running back Charles White, gained 163 yards on 12 carries and 3 touchdowns.

White’s first two touchdown runs came in the first quarter and by the end of the opening 12 minutes, Crespi had a 21-point lead.

Near the end of the first half, senior Jeff Kellogg ran up the middle for a six-yard touchdown with 1:46 remaining.

“It went pretty much as expected,” Crespi Coach Bill Redell said. “They are a young team, predominantly juniors.”

The second half did not prove to be a panacea for the Saints. Having received the second-half kickoff, the Celts took over at their own 33-yard line. That is, Mr. White took over. On three successive plays, the young running back ran 37, 2, and 39 yards for his third touchdown. The extra point expanded the lead to 35-0.

That was all for White, who left in time to allow senior Troy Thomas to share the spotlight.

The defensive back took a punt by Mike Terron at the Celts’ 16-yard line and skipped, hopped and wound his way 77 yards, setting up a seven-yard touchdown spurt by Budge.

On their final possession of the game, Mark Squires plunged four yards for the final Crespi touchdown. Thomas had another fine punt return in the fourth quarter for 44 yards.

Crespi, which now has three shutouts, will put its 5-0 record on the line next week against Notre Dame.

Say good night, Gracie.