Dorsey’s Championship Season

A high school championship rarely merits mention outside the sports pages, but the Dorsey High Dons won more than bragging rights Friday. Their upset victory over defending football champion Carson High represents a noteworthy comeback from what has been a tragic and nightmarish season.

On Oct. 6, Dorsey’s star wide receiver, Kevin Copeland, collapsed and died from a heart attack during the fourth game of the season. His devastated teammates were told they could call off the season if they wanted to, but they chose to go on, dedicating the remaining games to the memory of the popular 17-year-old athlete.

Barely a month later, on Nov. 9, the sound of shots sent terrified players and fans diving for cover and forced a halt to the game between Dorsey and Crenshaw. The shots were fired outside of Jackie Robinson Stadium, apparently by rival gangs in Southwest Los Angeles.

Despite these low points in the long season, Dorsey won eight of its final nine games. The victories led to the title match against Carson, a legendary football powerhouse playing its ninth consecutive championship game.

Few expected Dorsey to win; the school had never held the city’s top football championship. But the green-and-white prevailed, 26-15, giving players, students, faculty, alumni and the surrounding community something to cheer about.