Larry on First Line of State’s Defense : Shrine game: Fumble recovery by Littlerock linebacker stops Texas drive on opening series.

On the surface, the defensive rules applied for the California-Texas Shrine high school football game would seem to hamper Littlerock High linebacker Lawrence Larry.

Larry, normally an outside pass-rushing specialist, was stifled by the blitzing ban placed on most defenders.

So Larry, who will begin fall practice at USC next month, found other ways to contribute.

Larry’s fumble recovery on Texas’ opening possession set the tone for a defensive-oriented game.

Defensive back Derrick Gardner of Skyline High in Oakland returned an interception 47 yards midway through the second quarter for the only touchdown in California’s 6-0 victory over Texas before a sellout crowd of 10,000 at Titan Stadium.

“The offense was having problems during practice all week,” Larry said. “Those plays got us fired up and confident early.”

Larry’s recovery came after Texas, using a balanced running game, drove to the California 14-yard line. After Edison’s Bryan Chun-Lachapelle stripped Johnny Humphrey, Larry scooped up the ball and ran 15 yards.

“I got kind of lucky the ball popped right to me,” Larry said.

Taft safety DaShon Polk contributed with two big stops on a second-quarter drive by Texas, but he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after holding Andre Bruce for a one-yard gain.

Notre Dame kicker Chris Sailer, who will play at UCLA, had a difficult game. He had a 52-yard field-goal attempt blocked and was short on a 45-yarder.

Sailer’s only extra-point attempt also was blocked, although the play was nullified because Texas had 12 players on the field.

After a 42-yard punt in the first quarter, Sailer’s second punt was a 26-yarder off the side of his foot.

“I was getting good distance but we had guys who weren’t used to playing special teams,” Sailer said. “It threw off the timing.”

Crespi lineman Kane Cullum was ejected in the third quarter after a scuffle with D.J. Cooper of Texas.