Crespi topples Mater Dei

One week ago, Encino Crespi Coach Jeremiah Ross slept in the school’s physical education office after watching video well into the early morning, trying to prepare his team for perhaps its biggest game in nearly 15 years.

What the Celts accomplished Friday night will enable Ross to bask in the glory of a memorable triumph. Crespi scored 24 unanswered points to open the game against national power Santa Ana Mater Dei, saw the Monarchs rally, then pulled away for a 48-26 win in a Southern Section Pac-5 Division quarterfinal playoff game at Santa Ana Stadium.

From the opening play, when Crespi’s E.J. Woods sacked quarterback Matt Barkley for a 10-yard loss, the Celts (10-2) made it clear they were going to be aggressive and daring.

Perhaps no play was more important than Woods’ 50-yard touchdown run with 7:59 left in the third quarter. Crespi’s lead had been cut to 24-19 on a 50-yard touchdown reception by Andrew Abbott.

Then came a burst of speed from the UCLA-bound Woods, and the Celts were back in control for good.

The Celts’ two running backs, Austin Shanks and Woods, rushed for 171 and 125 yards, respectively. Sophomore quarterback Bryan Bennett threw four touchdown passes, completing eight of 14 passes for 156 yards, and 6-foot-8 tight end Joseph Fauria caught touchdown passes of 40 and 22 yards.

Crespi will play Anaheim Servite, a 10-7 winner over Anaheim Esperanza, as part of a semifinal doubleheader Friday at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Servite is coached by Troy Thomas, who played at Crespi, coached the Celts for four years and hired Ross as his top assistant. It’s a game both programs have dreamed about since Thomas left for Servite in 2005.

With just over four minutes left in the second quarter, Crespi held a 24-0 lead. The Celts’ quickness on defense bothered Barkley, who hurried his passes and completed only two of his first 10 for 23 yards with an interception.

Barkley finally found his passing form at the end of the first half. He completed nine of 12 for 131 yards as Mater Dei (9-2) closed to within 24-12 at halftime.

Crespi advances to its first major-division semifinal since losing to Rialto Eisenhower in 1993.

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eric.sondheimer@latimes.com