Smith, Crespi Surprise Bishop Montgomery

It was Bishop Montgomery High, and not Crespi, that came into Friday night’s Mission League opener with all the impressive numbers.

Bishop Montgomery was 3-0 and averaging 32 points a game.

The Knights had an offensive line that would make many college teams envious, averaging 240 pounds per man.

Furthermore, Bishop Montgomery running back Koury Clark was averaging 202 yards rushing a game and nearly nine yards a carry.

But, in the end, it was Crespi that had the only numbers that mattered: a 28-14 victory at Pierce College.

The Celts (2-2) ran 37 fewer plays from scrimmage than Bishop Montgomery and had 68 fewer yards (275-207). They played without starting tailback Torie Lee, who was sidelined because of a sore ankle. They had 105 penalty yards. And they were held to 67 rushing yards.

But they won.

How did they do it?

Quarterback Cody Smith was one reason. Smith completed 10 of 14 passes for 140 yards and two first-period touchdowns, leading Crespi to a 14-0 halftime lead.

The Celts increased the margin to 21-0 on the opening kickoff of the third period when Darren McElroy fielded the kick at the 25, was seemingly stopped at the 35, then broke free and outran Tim Woods for a 75-yard touchdown.

Bishop Montgomery (3-1) broke the Crespi defense’s six-quarter scoreless streak on Clark’s one-yard touchdown early in the fourth period. Clark, who rushed for 93 yards in 27 carries and caught five passes for 78 yards, scored on another one-yard run with 2 minutes 7 seconds to play, but it was much too late.

Crespi’s early lead forced the Knights out of their game plan and into the air far more than they wanted to. Bishop Montgomery quarterback Neil Tinoco completed 15 of 30 for 179 yards but threw two interceptions.

Lee’s backup, Eric Cuaresma, rushed for 67 yards in 16 carries and scored on a seven-yard run in the fourth period, but it was the passing of Smith that caused Bishop Montgomery the most problems.

An 18-yard punt return by Crespi’s Doug Rawlings put the ball on the Celt 45 late in the first period, and the passing of Smith and running of Cuaresma moved the ball to the Knights’ 33-yard line.

On the next play, Smith connected with Alex Pupich along the sidelines, and the tight end eluded defender Chris Bougher en route to a 33-yard touchdown. Bach Stabile added the kick for a 7-0 Crespi lead.

Smith completed five of eight passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns in the first half.