Crenshaw Passes Test in a 14-7 Win

Crenshaw High’s Kenneth Jones did not have a clear recollection of his fourth-quarter touchdown reception Friday against San Pedro.

“My mind went kind of blank when I saw the ball up in the air,” said Jones, a tight end. “The next thing I knew, it was in my hands for a touchdown.”

Jones’ 43-yard reception on a pass from quarterback Devin Hollins with 2:43 left gave Crenshaw a hard-fought 14-7 nonleague victory at Crenshaw and improved the Cougars’ record to 4-0.

Excuse Jones if the details of the decisive play were hazy. He was clearly fatigued after also playing defensive end for a unit that got its best test of the season.

Crenshaw’s linebackers and secondary usually make the momentum-swinging defensive plays. On Friday, the line was the difference.

San Pedro (2-2) controlled the ball for much of the game, but Crenshaw twice stopped the Pirates on downs inside the five yard-line.

“We come to play every week,” Crenshaw lineman Walter Mebane said. “For our other guys to make big plays, the defensive line has to step up and force the other team to make wrong choices. Today, every one played well.”

Crenshaw scored on the game’s first possession when Corey Hudson capped an 80-yard, nine-play drive with a seven-yard run.

San Pedro threatened with a seven-minute drive late in the second quarter, but Crenshaw stopped Jamal Gatlin for no gain on fourth and goal from the one with 28 seconds left.

Late in the third quarter, Crenshaw again stopped the Pirates on third and goal and fourth and goal from the one.

San Pedro finally broke through and tied the score with 25 seconds left in the third quarter on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Robby Reedy to Gatlin.

Crenshaw began its decisive drive at its 31 with 4:12 left. Hollins completed a short pass to Patrick Owens, and San Pedro was called for a personal foul, moving the ball to the Cougar 46. Two scrambles by Hollins netted 11 yards.

On second and 10 from the San Pedro 43, Hollins faked a hand-off, dropped back, then lofted a perfect pass down the right sideline to Jones.

“We were running the ball a lot today and their defensive backs were coming up,” said Hollins, who completed nine of 17 passes for 182 yards with two interceptions. “They went for the fake. It was a great call by our coaches.”