Return to Wishbone Gives Locke Options

E.C. Robinson, football coach at Locke, intentionally scheduled two-time City Section football champion San Pedro in the season opener to measure his team’s performance and potential.

The Saints lost to San Pedro, 37-12, but the experience appears to have served them well.

Locke (2-1) defeated Fremont, 31-0, in its Southeastern Conference opener, then beat Roosevelt, 30-26.

“We were only down, 14-6, going into the fourth quarter against San Pedro, so I think that showed our kids that we can play with that competition,” said Robinson, who is in his 20th season at Locke.

Locke has reverted to its trademark wishbone offense this season after a one-year experiment with a pro-style multiple set. Quarterback Michael Harmon has adapted so well, Robinson says the senior is running the option, “better than Darian Hagan,” the former Locke standout who went on to star at Colorado.

Junior running back Alvin Marshall has gained nearly 500 yards.

The defense is led by linebackers Jerry Stafford and Damien Campbell and safety Medford Moore.

On Friday, Locke is expected to continue its winning ways against Huntington Park. Next week, the Saints meet Jefferson in a key Southeastern Conference game.

“We just have to keep getting better each week,” Robinson says. “We also have to throw the ball a little better. If we do that, we have a good shot at doing something in the playoffs.”

*

The Palisades girls’ tennis team lost several players to graduation and others who transferred back to their home schools, leaving this year’s title seemingly up for grabs.

Palisades is still expected to make a run at keeping its title, but Fairfax and Westchester are regarded as teams with a shot at the championship.

Westchester, in particular, hungers for a title. The Comets have 16 seniors, including No. 1 singles player Gianni North, one of the few team members who plays in junior tournaments.

“We have a lot of girls that work real hard,” said Westchester Coach Sean Hanagan, whose team beat Carson in its opener and plays North Hollyood today. “Next week we play Hamilton and then we play Palisades. We’re going to find out in the next three weeks what we really have.”