Football: Marquis Lawson sets the example of how to play the game at Crenshaw

Marquis Lawson of Crenshaw has been catching footballs since he was 3. He started with Nerf balls and shows no signs of stopping.

He has been a two-way standout for the Cougars (7-4), who face No. 3-seeded Garfield on the road on Friday night in a City Section Division I quarterfinal playoff game.

He has speed, instincts, jumping ability and toughness. Lawson, 5 feet 8, 165 pounds, started his prep career at Alemany, then arrived at Crenshaw last season. As a receiver, defensive back and punt returner, he’s counted on to make an impact.

“I pride myself to be good at both,” he said. “Wherever the coaches put me at, I’m fine.”

Last June, he was offered a scholarship to UCLA. When he got home and was in his room alone, he didn’t hide his emotions.

“It was movement that came out of me,” he said. “I was sitting down. I was playing music. It just hit me. I started jumping around and did a backflip.”

In September, he made a commitment to UCLA. He has put in lots of hard work on and off the field trying to secure his future.

“I was always taught to never quit, never give up,” he said.

He likes to take photos and make sketches. But football is what brings out the best in him.

“I love football,” he said. “I don’t know where I would be without it.”

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