Jefferson Looking to Solidify Standing

Jefferson High lost its chance for a major upset, and possible Coliseum League championship, when unbeaten Crenshaw defeated the Democrats with a long touchdown pass in the final seconds last week.

But Jefferson did not have much time to worry about the opportunity that slipped away. The Democrats, 5-3 overall and 2-1 in the Coliseum League, immediately began preparations for Friday’s game against Dorsey (6-2, 2-1).

It’s a game that will go a long way toward determining both teams’ playoff fates.

Each of the section’s eight leagues are guaranteed only one spot in the 16-team Championship division that will be seeded after Nov. 9 regular-season finales. Eight at-large berths are awarded based on record, strength of schedule and record against mutual opponents.

“It’s definitely a must-win for us,” Jefferson Coach Hank Johnson said of Friday’s game. “When they go into that seeding meeting, you never know what the committee’s mind-set is going to be. A win over Dorsey would definitely solidify our position.”

Jefferson has been led by junior John Brown, a three-year starter who plays quarterback and defensive back. Junior defensive back Travonne Jackson, junior tailback Jason Brown and senior lineman Larry Harris have also been standouts for Jefferson.

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The Western League football race became even tighter after Westchester was forced to forfeit its Oct. 6 victory over Hamilton for using an ineligible player.

Jeff Halpern, an administrator in the City Section commissioner’s office, said appropriate paperwork for a Westchester player who had transferred to the school before the season was not received by the City Section office by the first week of October.

The forfeit makes Westchester 6-2 overall and 3-1 in league play going into Friday’s game against Venice (6-2, 4-1).

Westchester finishes the season against Palisades (7-1, 5-0), which plays an intersectional game Friday against Pasadena Marshall.

--GARY KLEIN