Dorsey Sprints Away From Jefferson, 44-0

Jefferson High’s football team did its best to contain Dorsey. But somebody left the backdoor open and Don tailback Bervick Deculus II was the first to run loose.

Deculus, a seldom-used tailback last season, ran for 168 yards and three touchdowns as Dorsey shut out Jefferson, 44-0, in a nonleague game Friday at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Deculus scored on touchdown runs of 14, 23 and 70 yards.

Dorsey (1-0) was concerned about replacing tailbacks Che Johnson and Chris Phillips, who each rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 1993. The Dons, however, have two linemen who can clear a wide enough path for even the most inexperienced runner.

Late Bankouadagba, a 6-2, 300-pound guard of Nigerian descent, and Chris King, a 6-2, 280-pound transfer tackle from Texas, manhandled Jefferson’s defensive line.

“The line produced well and it was easy to explode and go for the goal line,” Deculus said. “I tried to keep my composure and not get big-headed out there.”

Deculus followed one of King’s blocks and scored on a 14-yard touchdown to give Dorsey a 7-0 lead on the second play of the second quarter. On fourth-and eight, Bankouadagba knocked over a defender and Deculus ran through the opening for a 23-yard touchdown 1:07 left in the half.

“I thought the turning point came right before the half,” Jefferson Coach Hank Johnson said. “We hoped to keep them out of the end zone and boom they’re gone. Then came the second half kickoff.”

If Deculus’ second touchdown was the turning point, Wilson’s score was the breaking point. Wilson took the second-half kickoff and ran a serpentine route through Jefferson’s coverage for an 85-yard touchdown. Dorsey ran only 16 plays from scrimmage in the second half, but scored 33 points.

The Dons also scored touchdowns on an 85-yard kickoff return by Antwain Wilson, on an 11-yard run by Raymont Skaggs, and on a 15-yard return of a blocked punt by Reginald Douglas.

The Democrats haven’t lost this badly since Walter Mondale ran for president in 1984.

Raul Menjivar also kicked five extra points, which is a first for a Dorsey football team under Coach Paul Knox.

“Our main concern is playing physical football,” Knox said. “Once a team wears down and they get tired, it’s tough to contain us.”

Jefferson (0-1) did have its chance. Stevie Williams took the opening kickoff and ran to Dorsey’s 27-yard line. But on the first play from scrimmage, Jimmy Ray Brown’s pass was intercepted in the end zone. Brown, a 5-9, 160-pound sophomore, completed one of 15 passes with an interception, but he wasn’t to be blamed. Two very catchable passes were dropped in the end zone.

“I thought Brown played an outstanding game,” Johnson said. “But we’re a young team. We have young players who don’t know much about football.”

Isaac Hatley, Jefferson’s talented tailback, was held to 33 yards in 11 carries.

D--Deculus 14 run (Menjivar kick)

D--Deculus 23 run (kick failed)

D--Wilson 85 kickoff return (Menjivar kick)

D--Deculus 70 run (Menjivar kick)

D--Skaggs 11 run (Menjivar kick)

FG--Menjivar 26

D--Douglas 15 blocked punt return (Menjivar kick)

Records: Dorsey 1-0; Jefferson 0-1

Next week: Jefferson at Jordan; Dorsey at Manual Arts.