Dominguez Overpowers Lynwood

There’s nothing fancy about the Compton Dominguez offense. The Dons cluster together in their double wing-T formation -- football’s version of a scrum in rugby -- and dare the other team to stop their relentless running game.

Lynwood wasn’t up to the task.

Dominguez, ranked No. 20 in the Southland by The Times, overpowered the Knights when it counted Friday en route to a 30-27 victory in a San Gabriel Valley League game between previously unbeaten teams at Lynwood Middle School.

Sam Hopkins rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns in 23 carries. His six-yard scoring run on fourth and goal with 1:14 to play gave Dominguez a 30-21 lead and capped a 13-play, 58-yard drive that sealed Lynwood’s fate.

“I felt I was unstoppable,” said Hopkins, a senior who also scored on runs of seven and 20 yards. “I just told the coach to give me the ball, and I made it happen.”

Hopkins had plenty of help. Darryl Crummie gained 76 yards in 12 carries and scored on a 10-yard run. Dion Bell rushed for 67 yards in 13 carries and set up a touchdown drive with an interception. And the Dons’ massive offensive line opened holes all night.

Dominguez (7-0, 2-0 in league play) extended its winning streak over Lynwood to 11 games. The Knights have not beaten the Dons since 1992.

Lynwood (5-1-1, 1-1) trailed 23-21 after a 15-yard scoring pass from Ashlee Palmer to Ellis Powers with 7:05 to play. The Knights made the final score close on another Palmer scoring pass with four seconds left.

Marlin Simmons, Lynwood’s defensive leader at linebacker, led the Knights with 74 yards rushing in only three carries.

-- Rob Fernas

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Bellfower St. John Bosco 22, Santa Margarita 0 -- Junior running back Daniel Jenkins rushed for 83 yards in eight carries and four players scored as the Braves upset previously unbeaten Santa Margarita in a Serra League game at St. John Bosco.

Santa Margarita (6-1, 1-1), ranked No. 14, played without versatile senior quarterback Michael Angelo, who was benched for disciplinary reasons after arriving late for a mandatory game-day church service at Santa Margarita.

Senior Ryan Neinhuis replaced Angelo but completed only two of eight passes for 11 yards with one interception.

St. John Bosco (6-1, 1-1), ranked No. 19, scored in each quarter. Louis Spindola kicked a 37-yard field goal in the first, Greg Chavez had a six-yard touchdown run in the second, Michael Acosta returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown in the third, and Anthony Rodriguez caught a six-yard scoring pass from Patrick Cowan in the fourth.

-- Lauren Peterson