Dorsey Doesn’t Let Chance Slip Away Against Fremont

Dorsey High made it through a week of adversity to play in the City Section semifinals Friday night against Fremont.

Then the Dons survived a second-half rally by Fremont to advance to the championship game. Dorsey’s 14-10 victory at Gardena High was not secured until a pass thrown on a fourth-and-goal play from the eight-yard line fell incomplete in the end zone with 1:42 left. The win put Dorsey in the final for the first time since 1995.

Dorsey (9-3) will play Woodland Hills Taft, a 38-28 winner Friday over Crenshaw, in the championship game next Friday at the Coliseum. “After all that we have been through this week, we just came out and played our hearts out,” said Dorsey running back Jermaine Moore, who rushed for 72 yards and touchdown in 15 carries.

Dorsey’s week began with an investigation into whether the Dons had used ineligible players in the 20-14 quarterfinal victory over Westchester on Nov. 21. They were temporarily ousted from and then reinstated to the playoffs Wednesday.

“I thought all the emotions that we needed for the game might be spent before we got out there,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “But our defense played a great game, holding them to 10 points.”

Dorsey, which was called for 16 penalties, had a 6-0 lead at halftime on Moore’s four-yard touchdown run with 9:06 left in the second quarter. The Dons increased the margin to 14-0 with a 66-yard drive to open the third quarter that quarterback Theron Shakir capped with a one-yard sneak and two-point conversion pass to LeMark Henderson. Fremont (9-3) came charging back with a 47-yard touchdown pass play from quarterback Abe Escobar to receiver Shelvion Williams with 6:21 left in the third quarter and a 33-yard field goal by Mike Ruiz with 10:13 left. Dorsey went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, setting the stage for Fremont’s final drive. The Pathfinders started at their own 28 and moved down the field with the help of Escobar’s 19-yard completion to Mark Bradford, and a 22-yard pass to Milvon James that gave Fremont a first-and-goal from the six with 4:25 left.

Fremont, however, was unable to capitalize. The Pathfinders were penalized for having 12 players on the field on first down. A face-mask penalty against Dorsey on the next play gave Fremont a first down at the seven. After three running plays and an illegal-procedure penalty, Fremont faced its fourth-and-goal play from the eight. Escobar’s pass was tipped by Dorsey’s Jamaal Fay and almost made it into Bradford’s hands.