Crenshaw and Carter Overpower San Pedro

Crenshaw High’s Keenan Carter did just about everything Friday against two-time defending City Section champion San Pedro.

Carter passed for 119 yards and a touchdown, rushed for 29 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards and a touchdown as Crenshaw defeated the Pirates, 28-6, in a Southern Pacific Conference game at Crenshaw.

Carter, a senior, set up Crenshaw’s first touchdown by returning the opening kickoff 57 yards. He also played defensive back and punted for the Cougars, who improved to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in conference by handing San Pedro only its second loss in its last 33 games.

“Tired?” Carter said when asked if he was fatigued. “No way. This team is conditioned.”

Sophomore Terrence Whitehead gained 74 yards in 12 carries and scored on a 17-yard run for Crenshaw, which outgained San Pedro, 344-205, and defeated the Pirates for the first time since 1994.

Crenshaw linebacker Jamel Applewhite led a defense that gave up only a first quarter touchdown on Chris Harrell’s one-yard run.

Carter’s 17-yard touchdown pass to Markus Green on the opening drive and Whitehead’s scoring run with 3:49 left in the second quarter helped Crenshaw take a 16-6 halftime lead.

San Pedro (4-1, 1-1) dashed its chance for a comeback by fumbling twice in the third quarter.

The Pirates had taken the second-half kickoff and marched from their 29 to the Crenshaw 10. But quarterback Paul Rosas fumbled the snap with 5:29 left in the quarter and Chris Prater recovered for Crenshaw.

The Cougars then drove to the San Pedro 27 where Carter dropped back on first down and threw a pass high down the right sideline. Crenshaw receiver Norman Epps and Pirate defensive back Michael Barnes both came down with the ball, but Epps snatched it away for touchdown and a 22-6 lead with 2:14 left in the quarter.

The game was delayed for 30 minutes when San Pedro quarterback Gustavo Navarro suffered a neck injury with 7:37 left in the fourth quarter. Navarro could move all of his limbs but was taken to Daniel Freeman Hospital where he was treated and released.

When play resumed, Carter moved to wide receiver. His 14-yard touchdown reception from sophomore Devin Hollins with 1:14 left completed the scoring.