Officials Discuss Ways to Improve Game Security

For the second time in the past two years, gunshots outside Jackie Robinson Stadium prematurely ended a high school football game between Crenshaw and Dorsey, and Dorsey Coach Paul Knox is fed up.

Knox, who has coached at Dorsey since 1982, says that something has to be done so that games between the schools can be played without incident. But it seems that there are more questions than answers when it comes to solutions.

Last week, school officials tried to prevent problems by moving the game’s starting time from 8 p.m. to 3 p.m and checked fans at the gates for possible weapons. The gunmen showed up anyway.

With Dorsey ahead, 28-12, two students were hit by ricocheting bullets during the final minute of the game. One was struck in the arm and the other was hit in the leg, but neither injury was serious.

The Los Angeles Unified School District has said that security will be increased at any future meetings of the schools. However, not everyone is convinced that this will solve the problem.

“It is an open area over there and it is almost impossible to stop from having people drive down the street in a car and fire a gun,” Knox said. “I am sure that they will have to put more people over there for security, but I am not sure that is the answer.”

The situation at Jackie Robinson Stadium is unique because it is located next to Dorsey High on Rodeo Road. Lee Joseph, assistant director of athletics for the City Section, attended Friday’s game and believes that a different security approach is needed.

“Unfortunately, it was reported that the gunfire occurred on the sideline but actually the shots were fired outside the stadium and the bullets ricocheted,” Joseph said. “There need to be two LAPD cars on the street outside the stadium because all the shooting has come from Rodeo Road. Already there is enough security inside. There just needs to be more force outside. They don’t shoot at anyone in particular and just want to cause some confusion.”

Knox adds: “Hopefully, the series will continue because there is not any animosity between the schools more than a natural rivalry. The kids, parents and students deserve better. They should have it that they can go to a game safely and not have to worry about any outside element like this.”

More shooting: A neutral site didn’t solve the problem when Franklin and Lincoln played last Friday night at Roosevelt High. Their game was stopped late in the fourth quarter when shooting began near the stadium.

With Lincoln ahead, 14-6, shots were heard on a street outside the stadium, causing officials to stop the game. No injuries were reported.

“From our understanding, that incident had nothing to do with the football game,” said Hal Harkness, director of athletics for the City Section. “There were problems at a residence near the stadium and gunfire was fired into a house. Unfortunately, it happened and it happened next to a football game. But, at no time was any one at the game in danger.”

Before the season, the City’s new playoff structure, which moved the top 17 3-A Division teams from last season to the 4-A, was given good reviews by most. However, Huntington Park Coach Dwight Muskrath still has his doubts.

“In the City there are only a couple good teams every year; like Carson, Banning and Dorsey,” Muskrath said. “But, outside of them, you do not know who is going to be good year to year and basing it off your record from a year ago you have to question.”

Muskrath’s concern about the current structure may be because his Spartans are one of the top 3-A Division teams this season. Huntington Park is undefeated.

Last season, Huntington Park did not make the playoffs with a 4-5 regular-season record, but the experience has paid off this season.

Two two-way starters have led the Spartans: Adrian Fernandez is a safety and running back, and Frank Rojas is a safety and receiver. In Huntington Park’s 21-16 victory over Bell last Friday, Fernandez was a mainstay on both sides of the ball and also handled the kicking duties, and Rojas made several big defensive plays and caught a touchdown pass.

Prep Notes

The Inglewood Morningside girls’ basketball team suffered a big loss when All-American 6-foot-4 center Janet Davis transferred to Lynwood for her senior year this fall. Davis averaged 20.5 points, 11.5 rebounds and 8.5 blocked shots last season in leading the Monarchs to the State Division I final. “Her grades were falling at Morningside,” said Elora Davis, Janet’s mother. “She is being recruited by a lot of colleges, and I didn’t want her sliding into college by the skin of her teeth. We wanted to get her into a better academic program.” Morningside might also be without Ron Randle, last season’s coach. Randle recently resigned as an accountant for Inglewood schools, and the district reportedly wants coaches who are school employees.

The Hemet vs. Riverside Arlington football game at Hemet West Valley High was postponed last Friday night in fear of retaliation for a previous drive-by shooting. The game will be played today at 5 p.m. at West Valley High. . . . Carson quarterback Jamie Sander completed 13 of 23 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the Colts’ 27-0 win over Narbonne. Carson wingback Theron Hill rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns. . . . Bernie Delgadillo rushed for 206 yards in 20 carries in Lincoln’s 14-6 victory over Franklin. . . . Gerald Valdivia of Los Angeles Cathedral completed 16 of 27 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns in the Phantoms’ 33-8 victory over Orange Lutheran.

Times’ Prep Polls

CITY SECTION

No. School Div. Record LW 1. Banning 4-A 4-0-0 1 2. Dorsey 4-A 2-1-0 2 3. San Fernando 4-A 4-0-0 3 4. Washington 3-A 3-1-0 4 5. Granada Hills 4-A 2-1-0 5 6. Carson 4-A 2-2-0 6 7. Kennedy 4-A 3-1-0 7 8. Poly 4-A 3-1-0 8 9. Sylmar 4-A 2-1-0 9 10. Huntington Park 3-A 4-0-0 10

SOUTHERN SECTION

No. School Div. Record LW 1. Eisenhower I 4-0-0 1 2. Fontana I 4-0-0 2 3. Esperanza III 4-0-0 3 4. Mission Viejo II 4-0-0 5 5. Bishop Amat I 4-0-0 4 6. Mater Dei I 5-0-0 6 7. Loyola I 3-1-0 7 8. Tustin VI 4-0-0 9 9. Hawthorne III 4-0-0 8 10. Dominguez II 4-0-0 10 11. Glendora IV 4-0-0 11 12. JW North IV 4-0-0 12 13. Thousand Oaks II 3-1-0 13 14. Servite I 4-0-0 15 15. CC Canyon I 2-1-1 NR