HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CITY 3-A CHAMPIONSHIP : Crenshaw Turns It Around to Take Title

After starting the season by losing four of its first five games, Crenshaw High completed a dramatic turnaround by defeating Chatsworth, 27-7, Friday night to win the City 3-A Division championship.

Tailback James Dye scored three touchdowns and rushed for 163 yards to lead Crenshaw to its first City football title in front of 2,000 at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.

Few would have imagined such a climax in October after Crenshaw was routed by Wilmington Banning, 32-20, to fall to 1-4.

“We told them that they worked too hard to let down now,” said Terrell Ray, who coaches Crenshaw with Robert Garrett.

Crenshaw and Chatsworth played in the 4-A Division last season but were downgraded to the 3-A in the City’s restructured playoff format.

Although Chatsworth played against quality teams such as San Fernando and Granada Hills this season, Crenshaw was mentally and physically ready for the 3-A playoffs after competing in the tough Southern Pacific Conference with Wilmington Banning, Dorsey and Carson.

The hard-hitting Cougar defense sacked Chatsworth’s Brian Comer 10 times and had one interception.

“They were the best team we’ve seen this year,” Comer said. “They were the superior team. They were quicker up front and were just all over the place.”

The teams had offensive problems early in the game. Chatsworth was limited to 18 yards in the first quarter as Crenshaw pressured Comer, who entered the game with 1,076 yards passing.

Dye rushed for 71 yards in the first quarter, but Crenshaw could not score.

In the second quarter, Crenshaw defensive back Demetrius Henderson returned a punt 59 yards down the Cougar sideline to give his team a 7-0 lead.

Chatsworth’s offense finally came to life late in the quarter behind Comer and tailback Montay Hardison. Comer completed three short passes to set up a 14-yard run by Hardison to the Crenshaw three.

With one second left in the half, Comer scored on a one-yard sneak and the teams were tied, 7-7, at halftime.

Crenshaw took control in the second half with its defensive front of Kaleon Green, Tish Pierce, Mark Martin, Jallet Hall, Floyd Adams and Brandon Young.

“We told them that we had to bring home the trophy at halftime,” Garrett said. “Because the trophy was only sitting a little bit away from our locker room, we had to get it.”

Dye scored all his touchdowns in the third quarter. But it was a 42-yard score early in the quarter that put Chatsworth away.

“We all played as one and I didn’t do it myself,” Dyes said. “The key for us was that we played together as a team.”

Crenshaw, which won its last nine games, finished the season at 10-4. Chatsworth was 9-5.