Crespi Defense, White Show Their Stuff, 28-0

This has been a disappointing, injury-plagued season for Crespi High’s Russell White, but Friday night’s game against St. Francis was just what the doctor ordered.

White rushed 24 times for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Celts won, 28-0, in the Del Rey League game at Birmingham High.

White also caught a 63-yard touchdown pass that broke the game open in the third quarter. And, Crespi retired his jersey after the game.

“It was all right,” White said, after one of his best games of the year. “This season has had its ups and downs, so I kind of have to prove things to people.”

The same might be said for Crespi’s defense, which had given up 187 points in 8 previous games. But the shutout gives the Celts (5-4, 3-0) a confidence-booster for next week’s match-up with Loyola for the league championship.

If there was a bright spot for St. Francis (3-6, 1-2) it came from quarterback Erik Hagge, who completed 6 of 16 for 139 yards.

White, who holds the state career rushing record with 5,635 yards, was not Crespi’s only star. Quarterback Ron Redell completed 15 of 18 for 174 yards and a touchdown.

Redell made the plays that led to Crespi’s first touchdown early in the second quarter. The senior quarterback passed 22 yards to Paul Baukus and ran for 12 yards on fourth down at the St. Francis 14.

White dove off-tackle from the 2.

White fumbled twice before halftime and the Celts went into the locker room with a 7-0 lead.

But the second half went considerably smoother as Crespi scored on its first 3 tries.

White finished a 71-yard drive by running 7 yards, and, on Crespi’s next possession, Redell hit White on the bomb that finished off the Knights. Quinn Fauria scored from the 4 in the fourth quarter.