Sylmar’s Crenshaw Gets Inspiration, Record Too

Those summer workouts were grueling.

They would start at high noon with wind sprints on the sun-scorched football field at Sylmar High.

First came the 40-yard dashes. Each was a race in itself. It was the past versus the future. The proven versus the promising.

It was former Sylmar tailback Tobaise Brookins in a race with Tyrone Crenshaw.

Brookins, who had 1,600-yard seasons as a junior and senior, was tuning up for his first year at Washington; he wanted to make a good impression on Washington coaches. Crenshaw, meanwhile, wanted to impress Sylmar’s coaches.

Brookins, now a 6-foot, 190-pound redshirt freshman for Washington, did not lose one 40-yard sprint to his friend. Nor did he falter in the six 100-yard sprints that followed the eight 40s.

“I was always a step or two behind,” Crenshaw said.

Crenshaw, a 5-11, 180-pound junior, is a fan of Brookins, admiring his speed and adopting his work ethic.

“Toby was his mentor,” Sylmar Coach Jeff Engilman said.

On a break from college, Brookins watched as the top-seeded Spartans (now 10-0) took on Venice in the first round of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs last week. Crenshaw, nervous that he might fail in front of his young adviser, fumbled on his fourth carry, giving Venice possession at the Sylmar 40 with the score tied, 7-7.

Brookins, the consummate team player and friend, sprang from the team bench on the Sylmar sideline and into action. “He ran up to me and told me to stay focused,” Crenshaw said. “And I just kept that in my mind.”

By halftime, Crenshaw had amassed 217 yards and three touchdowns in 10 carries. It seemed obvious that his focus was crystal clear. Crenshaw finished with a school-record 317 yards in 20 carries and scored four touchdowns in the Spartans’ 49-7 victory. His runs frequently prompted gleeful outbursts from Brookins.

“I think he has come into his own,” Brookins said. “He could go Division I right now.”

Crenshaw, 16, is the latest in a string of explosive running backs to lead Sylmar to prominence. Since Engilman and his staff took over the program in 1987, Sylmar has produced a 1,000-yard rusher each season.

Jerome Casey was the first tailback to excel under running back coach Darryl McIntyre. In three seasons, Casey rushed for 3,867 yards and 36 touchdowns. When Casey was a senior, Brookins was a sophomore waiting in the wings, playing fullback and providing the lead block for the star.

Once Casey graduated, Brookins became the star and rushed for 3,279 yards and 45 touchdowns in two seasons. When Brookins was a senior, Crenshaw was paying his dues as a sophomore, providing the blocking for Brookins.

Now it is Crenshaw’s turn. Although slowed by an ankle injury since the second game of the season, Crenshaw is the second-leading rusher among area City backs. Despite sitting out one game to nurse his ankle, Crenshaw has gained 1,434 yards in 156 carries and has scored 19 touchdowns.

Against Venice, Crenshaw broke runs of 77, 41, 38, 36, 25 and 20 yards. He said it was the most exciting game of his life, but he didn’t elaborate. He’s a personable, quiet type who doesn’t seem to relish the spotlight.

“I don’t want people to think I’m conceited or anything,” Crenshaw said. “I just like to play.”

Crenshaw--much like Brookins--is quick to credit his offensive line. The front five, each of whom stand taller than 6 feet, average 263 pounds. It is Crenshaw’s style that pleases the line most.

“He’s not a braggart and I think the offensive line kind of enjoys that,” Engilman said.

When Brookins ran for Sylmar, he wasn’t much for boasting, either. But times have changed Brookins. “I’m a Crenshaw fan, “ Brookins said. “He’s awesome.”