Crenshaw Overcomes Turnovers

A football team usually loses if it commits six turnovers, especially if one occurs while it is trying to run out the clock.

Then again, if that team is Crenshaw High, it has a defense that can withstand such mistakes.

Walter Mebane recovered his second fumble of the game to quell Wilmington Banning’s final threat and give the Cougars a sloppy 10-7 nonleague victory Friday at Crenshaw.

Crenshaw (3-0) rode its opportunistic defense to the City Section title game last year and nothing has changed in the 2000 season. In addition to Mebane’s two recoveries, the Cougars also intercepted two passes.

Crenshaw’s defense did not surrender a point in 15 quarters before Banning’s James Carter scored on a six-yard run with 2:04 remaining. Crenshaw opened the season with shutouts against Westchester and Compton Centennial.

“We never talked about it as a staff but I know the kids talked about it,” Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett said of the shutout streak. “It’s a pride thing with them. But sometimes you don’t want to set goals that high that they’re impossible to reach.”

The Cougars were fortunate that Banning (0-3) was just as giving Friday. With first-and-goal at the Banning three and 1:07 left, Crenshaw quarterback Devin Hollins underthrew an open receiver in the end zone.

Banning safety Ian Connor stepped in front and picked off the pass--the fifth interception for the Pilots and the fourth of Hollins. Connor returned it 67 yards as Hollins slowed him until his teammates hauled him down at the Crenshaw 33.

But the Pilots couldn’t handle any prosperity all day. Carter ran for 11 yards to get a first down at the 22, but quarterback Damian Satete fumbled the snap on the next play and Mebane grabbed it to seal the victory.

“Right before that play, my coach told me to shoot the gap and get my hands in there,” Mebane said. “The ball was right there and I fell on it.”

Hollins, who suffered through a 10-for-25 effort for 178 yards, did complete four passes on a key third-quarter drive after Crenshaw’s Barry Davis intercepted a pass by Satete. He found Shawn Rogers on a nicely executed 11-yard touchdown pass to cap a 51-yard drive.

Crenshaw sacked Satete five times and harassed him on numerous occasions.