Dorsey’s Joseph Gray sets passing record in 37-24 victory over Taft

An early-season matchup of top City Section football teams Thursday night produced an entertaining, offense-minded encounter that left Los Angeles Dorsey and Woodland Hills Taft feeling good about themselves at times.

In the end, a school-record 359-yard, three-touchdown passing performance by Dorsey quarterback Joseph Gray and two interceptions and a 38-yard field goal from Michael Robert proved decisive in the Dons’ 37-24 victory at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Gray completed 19 of 38 passes, including touchdown passes of 80 and 21 yards to Marvin Hall and 37 yards to Robert. Taft had closed to 30-24 with 2:41 left, but Keith Lakey clinched the victory with a 59-yard touchdown run.

Anthony Nickerson had three long kickoff returns for the Toreadors. Quarterback Michael Bercovici was 15 for 35 for 145 yards.

It was a wild first half in which Dorsey opened a 20-0 lead after the first quarter, then saw Taft close to 20-14 at halftime.

Gray passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns in the first quarter. Then Taft started daring the Dons to run, loosening up on the receivers and disrupting the offense. At the same time, Bercovici settled down. He completed eight consecutive passes after starting the game three for 10.

Taft receiver Michael Thomas was effective getting open. He caught seven passes for 76 yards in the first half. His 6-foot-3 frame and strong hands gave the Dons trouble, making his uncle, former Dorsey and NFL great Keyshawn Johnson, happy in the stands. He finished with eight receptions for 90 yards.

Hall started the game by turning a short pass into an 80-yard touchdown reception on the first offensive play. Dimitray Lewis scored twice for Taft on short runs and had 81 yards rushing.

One of the standouts for Taft was sophomore punter Jordan Dascalo, a transfer from Northern California. He had punts of 46 and 44 yards and put two other punts inside Dorsey’s 10-yard line. He also made a 30-yard field goal.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com