GAME OF THE WEEK : Dons Can’t Get the Time of Day from Crenshaw

Dorsey High enjoys nighttime football games even when stadium lights flicker and it’s difficult to see. But the Dons have trouble playing during the early light.

Friday afternoon, Crenshaw knocked the daylights out of Dorsey, 34-10, in a Southern Pacific Conference game at Crenshaw, and it was not a pretty sight.

Crenshaw (3-2) recovered five Dorsey fumbles and returned two for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

“All high schools who play regularly at night complain about playing afternoon games,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “It throws off your whole schedule. You lose your routine.”

The Dons’ two losses have come during the afternoon. Three of their four losses last season were afternoon games.

Day or night, the Cougars simply were bigger, stronger and faster than Dorsey (3-2). Crenshaw scored its first touchdown on Farrel Payton’s four-yard run following a Crenshaw fumble recovery. Quarterback Ricky Lumford completed three passes to Rashard Magee, including a 41-yard pass, to set up the score.

“Rashard said he could beat his man on certain plays so we decided to go to him,” Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett said.

Crenshaw lost three fumbles but capitalized on three Dorsey fumbles to score 20 of 27 second-half points.

Payton rushed for 106 yards and three touchdowns.

Next week: Carson at Dorsey; Washington at Crenshaw.