HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Poly Falls to Crespi in Upset : White’s Interception, Rushing Hold the Key

In Crespi High Coach Bill Redell’s personal diary, Friday night’s game against Long Beach Poly will not be remembered as the best game his team ever played, or for the way the team moved the ball offensively, or even for the manner in which All-American Russell White turned in one of the best games of his standout career.

It will not be remembered for Crespi’s improbable second-half rally, or for White’s stellar defensive play.

Trying to pinpoint one memorable play would be like trying to count each yard White gained on the night--181 in 36 carries.

Instead, it will be remembered for all of the above.

Crespi scored the go-ahead touchdown with 2:44 remaining in the game on a 1-yard run by White and clinched a win when White intercepted a Michael Carter pass in the end zone with no time remaining as Crespi shocked Long Beach Poly, 26-23, at Long Beach Wilson High in the first round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs.

When White and Redell met at midfield after the game they embraced, and when they parted, Redell was in tears.

The game, Redell said, was a blur, and so was his eyesight.

“What makes it so special?” Redell said. “Take a look at that kid right there,” he said as he pointed at a Poly player, who lay motionless on his back in the end zone, some 5 minutes after the game had ended. “What makes it so special is that nobody expected us to win. Nobody.”

Poly, ranked No. 3 in the Southern Section by The Times, nearly came back to hand the Celts a heartbreaking defeat. After White’s touchdown gave Crespi (6-5) a 3-point lead, Poly (8-1-1) moved downfield behind the versatile and elusive Carter.

Starting on his own 15, Carter hit running back Andre Green for a 48-yard gain. Poly seemingly had plenty of time and the ball at the Crespi 41.

After an incomplete pass, Carter scrambled for a 10-yard gain, then hit receiver Dorian May for a 20-yard gain to the Celts’ 6-yard line with 39 seconds left.

On first and goal, Carter again scrambled for 2 yards, and, with the clock running, rolled right and threw into the end zone, where White--who had entered the game on defense on Poly’s last possession--intercepted his first pass of the year.

“I was just in the right place at the right time,” White said. “Whatever it takes, whatever it takes.”

The senior tailback had what it took. After gaining only 29 yards in 10 carries in the first half, White rushed for 112 yards in the third quarter alone as the Celts rallied from a 17-6 halftime deficit.

“I figured if it was going to be his last game I was going to run him until he dropped,” Redell said.

White carried all 8 times in the Celts’ 8-play, 63-yard scoring drive to open the third quarter. He finished the drive with a 4-yard run, bringing the Celts to within 17-12 with 8:28 left in the quarter.

Crespi regained control with 3:10 left in the quarter at the Poly 47. White carrying the load, ran 4 times in a 6-play drive, which quarterback Ron Redell finished with a 1-yard sneak up the middle, giving Crespi an 18-17 lead.

Poly regained the lead, 23-18, on its next possession when Carter raced untouched from 9 yards early in the fourth quarter.