Taft Offers Proof in a 42-6 Victory

Even after lopsided victories over Sylmar High and Fairfax, many players on the Taft football team felt they had plenty to prove Friday night against Dorsey, the defending City Section 4-A champion and the most consistent program in the City the past decade.

After all, the Spartans were playing without their coach, or a tailback for that matter, and Fairfax can’t be considered a power.

So how’s a 42-6 victory for proof?

“We told ourselves, ‘if we win these three, we are going on to win the City championship.’ It’s that simple,” quarterback Nick DiPadova said after the win at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Except for allowing a 95-yard touchdown run to Aaron Dean, Taft (3-0) was flawless in the first half, scoring the first 28 points. The victory was especially sweet considering the Dons are the biggest thorn in Toreadors’ postseason history, eliminating Taft in 1993 and 1994.

Dorsey (1-2) didn’t have a chance, failing to establish a running game without injured running back Antonio Chatman. Other than Dean’s run, the Dons had 71 yards, 16 on the ground. Dorsey committed five turnovers and Taft scored touchdowns after four of them.

Meanwhile, the Taft line was opening huge holes. DiPadova scored three times and threw a touchdown pass to Ryan Long.

Tailback Sedric Hurns gained 125 yards in 22 carries and scored on a four-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

Taft caught several breaks early. After the Dons were forced to punt following a short drive, punter Tyrone Bailey couldn’t handle a low snap and was tackled short of the first down.

The Toreadors drove 34 yards in six plays. A three-yard sneak by DiPadova gave Taft a 7-0 lead less than six minutes into the game.

On Dorsey’s next possession, quarterback Marrill Hammick mishandled the snap. Taft lineman Lonnel Black recovered at the Dorsey 29-yard line.

Three plays later, DiPadova hit Ryan Long on a 12-yard slant pass for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead.