Crespi Grinds to a Halt

Crespi High couldn’t rely on its running game.

Or on any game-turning plays.

The Celts could only rely on a decent second-half passing attack, but still lost their season opener Friday at Serra, 19-7. The only thing that will help the Celts now is a repeat of last season, which started with a loss to Serra, 14-9. The Celts picked up a victory a week later because the Cavaliers used an ineligible player.

It probably won’t happen: the Serra coaching staff checked once, twice, three times--maybe more--to make sure all their players were eligible.

The first quarter was disastrous for Crespi. After three futile plays on offense, the Celts punted on fourth and 13 on their 32-yard line. They might as well have gone for it.

Serra’s Jameel Powell fielded the punt at his 39, sprinted down the left sideline, broke a pair of tackles and raced into the end zone.

The Celts didn’t even make it to punt formation on their next possession. After a holding penalty pushed them back to their 25, quarterback Nick Rita was sacked by Jashon Skyes and fumbled.

Serra recovered at Crespi’s 13. Kerri Martin punched it in from the 6-yard line eight plays later. The extra point was blocked, but Serra held a 13-0 lead with 4 minutes 27 seconds left in the quarter.

Crespi settled down after that and fended off Serra’s defensive pressure by rolling Rita out. He began to connect with tight end Ron Quarterman for mediumgains.

But the Celts could only muster a 44-yard field-goal attempt by Dennis Fox at the end of the first quarter. It was wide right.

The teams played scoreless football in the middle two quarters.

Serra appeared to put the game away early in the fourth, when Serra quarterback Kris Richard faked the handoff to his fullback, followed him through a hole and sprinted up the middle for a 63-yard touchdown.

Crespi, however, unleashed its passing attack.

Rita hit Fox on a fly pattern down the right sideline for a 79-yard touchdown as the Celts crawled to within 19-7. They entered Serra territory two more times but each drive was stopped by an interception.

Rita completed 13 of 32 for 201 yards and a touchdown. Fox caught four passes for 116 yards.

Crespi, which lost running back Jamian Barbour to graduation, failed to establish a ground game. The Celts finished with nine yards in 16 carries. Howard Johnson carried eight times for 14 yards.

Serra’s Richard did more damage on the ground than through the air. He carried seven times for 110 yards. He completed three of 11 passes for 13 yards.

Serra’s Deshawn McCullough had 70 yards in 12 carries.