Dorsey shifts gears -- to a passing game

In 25 years of coaching football at Los Angeles Dorsey, Paul Knox has produced his share of outstanding running backs, from Stafon Johnson to Beno Bryant, but Knox has entered uncharted territory after switching to a spread offense to take advantage of the passing skills of senior Joseph Gray.

Gray is in position to become the best quarterback with whom Knox has worked, and that says a lot. He passed for nearly 2,000 yards a year ago when he shared quarterback duties for much of the season after transferring from Inglewood.

This summer, Dorsey is trying to take its passing game to a higher level. The Dons made it to the semifinals of last week’s Pierce tournament, and were performing well on Saturday in the 19-team Beverly Hills tournament.

“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Gray said.

Gray threw touchdown passes on his first two attempts Saturday.

Even though Knox prefers having a top running back, he has decided passing the ball best fits his personnel.

“We have to do this,” he said. “We have to move the ball.”

Dorsey’s challenge is developing enough offense to compete with defending City Section champion Los Angeles Crenshaw. Dorsey lost twice to the Cougars last season.

“Man, that’s the biggest monkey on our back -- Crenshaw,” Gray said.

Highland wins title

Palmdale Highland defeated West Torrance in the championship game of the Beverly Hills tournament.

Highland showed off a strong-armed junior quarterback in Christian Tago and a sure-handed receiver in Hunter Sharp.

QBs find a home

Jake Geringer and Nick Isham are the quarterback orphans from Westlake Village Oaks Christian who left the school during the summer of 2008 when there were six players competing for the starting job.

Geringer has become a 6-foot-2 standout at Newbury Park, starting as a sophomore and junior. He passed for 2,251 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2009. And he looks even better this summer with his increased confidence and growing knowledge of the Panthers’ offense.

“He’s a football version of a gym rat,” Coach Gary Fabricius said. “He’s going to make someone happy.”

All Isham did last season was guide Westlake to a 14-0 record while completing an astounding 74% of his passes.

Both were unlikely to beat out Nick Montana for the Oaks Christian starting job two summers ago, but it didn’t mean they didn’t have talent.

“It was crazy,” Oaks Christian receiver Blair Holliday recalled of the quarterback competition. “People were coming and going.”

The only quarterbacks still in high school from that season are Geringer, Isham and Trevor Gretzky, who served as a backup the last two years at Oaks Christian and is finally getting the chance to start.

UCLA connection

The younger brothers of UCLA linebackers Akeem Ayers and Isaiah Bowens are trying to earn respect in their senior year of high school.

Aaron Bowens is a 6-1, 180-pound linebacker at La Puente Bishop Amat. He had an interception at the Beverly Hills tournament.

Kalyn Ayers is a 6-4, 190-pound defensive end at Los Angeles Fremont who had 12 sacks as a junior.

Upland weapon

Upland can’t wait to turn loose junior running back Donta Abron, a transfer from Alta Loma. The Highlanders are confident Abron can become one of the best offensive weapons ever at the school. He rushed for 1,356 yards as a sophomore.

Former Upland quarterback Josh Nunes, battling for the No. 2 spot at Stanford, was at Beverly Hills watching his younger brother, Justin, the Highlanders’ starter.

San Fernando connection

San Fernando produced some of the best football players in the City Section during the 1970s and 1980s, and some of those players are now fathers watching their sons excel.

Palmdale receiver David Richards, who caught 10 touchdowns as a junior, is the son of David Richards Sr., a former San Fernando running back from the 1980s. Richards’ uncle is Chris Richards, another former San Fernando running back.

Brandon Jett, a junior tight end at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, is the son of former San Fernando receiver Dwayne Jett from the 1970s.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com