Big Defensive Play by Crenshaw Leaves Taft Fit to Be Tied, 28-28

A Crenshaw High defender wrestled a pass away from Taft receiver Sedric Hurns at the Crenshaw goal line on the game’s final play to ensure a 28-28 tie in a nonleague game Friday night at Gardena High.

Hurns and the Crenshaw defender appeared to come down with the ball simultaneously, but the official ruled that Crenshaw had possession. Despite Taft protests, the play stood.

The final play seemed fitting for the see-saw battle. The lead changed hands three times.

Ricky Lumford’s 28-yard pass play to Lonnie Neal, and Adrian Anderson’s two-point conversion run with under three minutes remaining allowed Crenshaw to tie the score, 28-28.

Both teams opened with sloppy play. Crenshaw (1-0-1), a 1994 City Section 4-A Division finalist, fumbled on its first three possessions. The first fumble came on the Taft goal line.

But the Toreadors were unable to capitalize on the miscues, failing to convert on fourth down three times in Crenshaw territory.

Nick Dipadova struggled, completing only five of 15 passes with four interceptions.

Hurns scored Taft’s first touchdown on an 85-yard kickoff return early in the second quarter to give the Toreadors a 7-6 lead.

Taft (1-1-1) scored again midway through the second quarter on Dipadova’s three-yard run to extend the lead to 13-6.

Crenshaw answered minutes later to take a 14-13 lead at halftime.

Donald Carpenter, who rushed for 58 yards in 12 carries, scored the third Taft touchdown with a 23-yard run early in the second half.

Clay Carter led Taft with 115 yards rushing in eight carries.