Dorsey Lights Up Crenshaw

For the last seven years, the Dorsey and Crenshaw high school football teams played each other before sparse crowds because a shooting incident near the stadium in 1989 prompted officials from both schools to schedule the traditional game during the day.

But on Friday night, the Dons and Cougars renewed their rivalry under the lights at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Dorsey’s offensive line dominated Crenshaw and helped the Dons keep their City Section playoff hopes alive in a 28-17 Southern Pacific Conference victory.

“The line took over the game when we needed a big drive,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “We haven’t been getting that in other games and I think we are starting to reach our peak.”

Knox said that there was no apprehension about playing the game at night.

“We thought these kids had waited long enough to play at night,” Knox said. “Our school administration took all the precautions needed to make it safe, but it wasn’t really needed.”

Fans enjoyed a first half in which both teams exchanged touchdowns.

Crenshaw, 4-4-1 overall and 1-4-1 in conference play, scored first by sacking Dorsey quarterback Lonny Honeycutt for a safety.

The Cougars added a one-yard run by Keenan Carter that was set up by a 35-yard pass play from quarterback Ben Stroud to Marcus Green.

But the Dons’ offensive line, led by 6-foot-6, 330-pound Duran Coleman and 265-pound Stacy Cole, began opening huge lanes for Dorsey running backs.

Four Dorsey ballcarriers scored touchdowns as the Dons rolled up 294 rushing yards. John Kent gained 115 yards in 15 carries and scored a touchdown and Aaron Dean rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Dorsey used its running game to control the ball late in the fourth quarter and ran down the clock for the victory.

“I grew up with some of these [Crenshaw] guys and you know I’m going to do some bragging the next time I see one of them,” Dean said.

And will the game be played at night next year?

“Absolutely, the whole incident was blown out of proportion,” said Jim Berger, a teacher at Dorsey for 15 years. “It’s a simple game. These are just kids playing a simple football game. Any previous problems didn’t have anything to do with these two great schools.”