Generals Stun Locke in Opener

Having made three consecutive trips to the City Section playoffs, optimism abounded for Locke High even without quarterback Akili Roberson at the helm.

But that optimism was cooled Friday as the Saints were beaten at home in their traditional nonconference opener with Washington, 19-11. The two schools have opened against each the past two decades.

The Saints, coming off a 6-4-1 season in which they were beaten in the Division 4-A quarterfinals, were hit with eight first-half penalties and their touted running game faltered in the second half.

Locke rushed for 160 yards in the first half but was held to 39 in the second. Locke did not score in the second half.

Flags nullified a 34-yard gain and a 40-yard reception, each would have put the Saints inside the Washington 20-yard line.

Washington defensive back Dante Gamble made a key interception late in the game to end the Saints’ final drive. Gamble, a senior, said his interception was an atonement for a mediocre performance in the first half.

The Generals were led by running back Dennis Northcutt, who had 136 yards in 13 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Running back Phillip Scott scored Washington’s two other touchdowns, including the final one on a two-yard run in third quarter.

Locke’s Sirr Parker, considered one of the area’s top college prospects, finished with 86 yards in 15 carries and one touchdown. Freddie Lee had 74 yards in 11 carries.

Al Rowe, Washington’s rookie coach, credited his players.

“It’s not my win,” Rowe said. “It’s the players you should talk to, they are the ones who won the game.”

Despite the loss, veteran Locke Coach E.C. Robinson still has confidence in his team.

“We have a great team that can move the ball,” Robinson said. “We’ll come out in the next game and pass more.”

High School Football Spotlight

A look at selected nonleague games Friday night in the Southern and City sections.

SOUTHERN SECTION

SCORE / SYNOPSIS

* Los Alamitos (2): 24

* La Palma Kennedy: 14

Kevin Feterik passed for 276 yards and three touchdowns in the first half at Anaheim Western High, extending the Griffins’ unbeaten streak to 36 games.

* Loyola (9): 21

* Fountain Valley: 7

The Cubs (1-0) scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter for a victory over the Barons (0-1) at Huntington Beach High.

* Irvine (10): 28

* Irvine University: 6

Scott Larsen completed 11 of 18 passes for 166 yards to lead the host Vaqueros (1-0).

* Encino Crespi: 20

* Woodland Hills Taft (20): 19

Dave Lins completed 21 of 27 passes for 210 yards and scored three touchdowns to lead the Celts (1-0) in an intersectional game at Pierce College.

* Westlake (11): 38

* Ventura: 9

Standout receiver Billy Miller caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown as the Warriors rolled up 441 yards of total offense at Ventura High.

* San Clemente: 21

* El Toro: 14

Jeff Carlin completed 20 of 39 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Tritons (1-0) at Mission Viejo Trabuco Hills High.

* Cantwell Sacred Heart: 22

* South El Monte: 14

In the final 35 seconds, Mark Figueroa scored on a four-yard run and Ryan Granados sacked quarterback Frank Venegas for a safety for the host Cardinals (1-0).

* Laguna Hills: 48

* Sonora: 26

Brendan McGraw gained 277 yards in 27 carries and scored six touchdowns to lead the Hawks at La Habra High.

* Huntington Beach Edison: 35

* Corona del Mar: 28

Patrick Markovsky completed 15 of 23 passes for 210 yards and three touch downs to lead the Chargers (1-0) at Newport Harbor High.

* Costa Mesa: 50

* Ocean View: 6

DeWayne Crenshaw gained 248 yards in 13 carries and scored five touchdowns for the Mustangs (1-0). The Seahawks extended their losing streak to 30 games.

* Foothill: 40

* Tustin: 6

Tramel Robinson gained 156 yards in 11 carries and scored two touchdowns to lead the Knights (1-0) at Tustin.

* El Monte: 30

* La Puente: 0

Jerry Urias gained 129 yards in 20 carries and scored three touchdowns for the host Lions (1-0).

CITY SECTION

SCORE: SYNOPSIS

* Dorsey: 44

* Jefferson: 0

Bervick Deculus rushed for 168 yards and scored three touchdowns, on runs of 14,23 and 70 yards, for the Dons at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

* Bell: 14

* Bell Gardens: 6

Gustavo Valenzuela completed 11 of 20 passes for 145 yards and one touchdown to lead the Eagles (1-0) in an intersectional game at Bell Gardens (0-1).

* Eagle Rock: 17

* University: 16

Jose Albarran kicked the winning field goal with 25 seconds left after his brother, Steve, returned an interception 103 yards to bring the Eagles within two points.

* Hollywood: 20

* Los Angeles: 16

Quarterback Nuggy Agun scored the winning touchdown, his second of the game, with seven seconds left to lead the Sheiks (1-0) to their first victory since 1992.

* Crenshaw: 29

* Manual Arts: 14

Junior Farrel Payton rushed for 127 yards in 12 carries and scored one touchdown to lead Crenshaw (1-0) at Manual Arts (0-1).

* South Gate: 40

* Marshall: 6

Hoffman Cortes had 107 yards in six carries, including a 45-yard touchdown run, for South Gate (1-0) at Marshall (0-1).

* Garfield: 23

* Lincoln: 8

Senior Eddie Hermosa completed eight of 14 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs (1-0) at home.

* Narbonne: 21

* Jordan: 19

Ryan Medrano kicked a 27-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to lead the Gauchos (1-0) to a victory at home.