Leuzinger Rally Knocks Crespi From Playoffs, 20-16

Leuzinger High rallied for 13 unanswered points in the second half to defeat Crespi, 20-16, in a Southern Section Division III football playoff game at Pierce College on Saturday night.

Crespi (8-3) led, 10-0, in the first quarter and, 16-7, at halftime. But Leuzinger’s pesky secondary and big-play offense overpowered the Celts in the second half. In earlier games, Crespi had outscored its opponents in the second half, 93-22.

Leuzinger (8-3), the co-champion of the Bay League, will face Esperanza in the quarterfinals.

The Olympian defense held off Crespi after the Celts drove 54 yards to Leuzinger’s 18-yard line on their opening drive of the second half.

Junior defensive back Jevon Ashley broke up Cody Smith’s pass attempt to Ryan Kieling (10 catches, 129 yards) on fourth and five, and the Olympians took possession. Leuzinger turned back the Celts again in the fourth quarter on the Olympian five-yard line after Crespi had driven 63 yards.

Leuzinger cut Crespi’s lead to 16-14 when quarterback Gary Mumin connected with Donal Byrd for a 78-yard touchdown pass on third and seven early in the third quarter. Mumin’s pass covered 45 yards and Byrd outran two defensive backs to the end zone.

Charlie Gonzalez recovered Joe Ruggiero’s fumble on Crespi’s second play at the Celt 41-yard line after the ensuing kickoff.

Running back Marvin Johnson’s 10-yard touchdown run five plays later capped the impressive drive and gave Leuzinger its first lead, 20-16.

Crespi dominated in the first quarter, holding the Olympians to just 18 yards in their first three possessions.

The Celts offense came away with scores on two of its first three possessions.

Kieling’s 12-yard punt return left the Celts on Leuzinger’s 34-yard line. Four plays later Crespi was on the seven, but after two incomplete passes and a penalty for illegal procedure, Crespi had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Bill Canalez.

Lance Thomas recovered a Leuzinger fumble on the Olympians’ second play after the ensuing kickoff, giving Crespi possession at Leuzinger’s 20-yard line. But the Celts failed to score when Smith’s pass intended for Frank Romano was broken up in the end zone by Anthony Cooley.

Ruggiero, who rushed for 52 yards in 12 carries in the first half, scored the Celts’ first touchdown on a two-yard run. He also scored on a 12-yard run with 3:05 left in the half for a 16-7 lead.

Smith, who had thrown only three interceptions in 213 attempts, had two picked off. He finished 16 of 35 for 211 yards.