Crenshaw routs Dorsey, 53-12, to earn City Section bragging rights

In barbershops, on Facebook, in text messages and in phone conversations, smack was being dished out fast and furious all week in anticipation of Friday night’s City Section football game between Dorsey and Crenshaw for bragging rights in South Los Angeles and a top playoff seeding.

At the tailgate parties outside Jackie Robinson Stadium, amid the aroma of grilled chicken and slow-cooked sausage, proud alumni of both schools pushed their chests out and kept up the nonstop banter.

One by one, dignitaries and sports figures such as UCLA Coach Rick Neuheisel and Dorsey alums Stafon Johnson and Dennis Northcutt showed up and gathered on the sidelines.

What everyone witnessed was a stunning rout by Crenshaw, 53-12, letting everyone know that the defending City Section Division I champions have no intention of rolling over and letting the Dons or anyone else take their crown without a big fight.

Crenshaw (8-2) put together a five-touchdown performance in the first quarter to open a 34-0 lead.

“It was electrifying,” Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett said.

With just under six minutes left in the second quarter, it was 47-0. Nothing went right for the Dons, who came in with a 9-0 record and thinking they could be competitive with Crenshaw.

De’Anthony Thomas caught touchdown passes of 37 and 24 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 23 and 35 yards. He finished with four receptions for 79 yards and rushed for 95 yards. He also had an interception.

Shaquille Shelton, a transfer from Woodland Hills Taft who has become a key addition to the Cougars, rushed for 143 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Dorsey quarterback Joseph Gray, a Washington commit who came in having passed for 2,434 yards and 28 touchdowns, was five for 17 for 51 yards in the first half with one interception and finished 11 for 33 for 149 yards. Crenshaw’s secondary wouldn’t let his receivers get open.

“They’re better than us,” Dorsey Coach Paul Knox said. “They always get off to a fast start and you have to withstand that onslaught or they overwhelm you.”

Last season, when Crenshaw finished 14-1, the Cougars beat the Dons twice, 44-7 and 35-6. This season, Dorsey’s unbeaten record was a little deceiving because the Dons’ schedule was not particularly strong.

It was perfect timing for Crenshaw to put on a convincing show of superiority because City Section coaches will gather Saturday morning and come up with playoff pairings.

Crenshaw, the Coliseum League champion, and Carson (8-2), the Marine League champion, will battle it out for the No. 1 seeding. But Garrett thinks Crenshaw deserves it.

“Hands down,” he said. “It should be no question. Dorsey is a great team. We came into their turf and beat them.”

At least there’s no debate about who’s the best player in the City. That would be Thomas, a USC commit who keeps finding ways to contribute.

Whether running with the ball, catching passes or making interceptions, he’s a difference maker. “Oh man, I think he’s one of the most impactful players that’s come around,” Knox said.

And Thomas thinks the Cougars are starting to peak in time for the playoffs.

“We’re rolling,” he said.

Thomas was dancing after the game as he went to shake hands with Dorsey players. Now that’s someone who deserves to be Dancing With the Stars.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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