LOS ANGELES CA — Under the lights at LA Southwest College, two sides of the stadium filled fast. Carson families stood strong in navy and white on one end and Crenshaw alumni crowded the other, ready to lift their Cougars. Two historic LA programs and two proud communities filled with tradition met with everything on the line. Crenshaw entered at 10 and 1 with one of the hottest streaks in the city and the confidence of a team that had overcome adversity with an interim staff. Carson arrived at 9 and 3 as the number one seed carrying Marine League discipline and a first year head coach looking to prove this team belonged back on top.
Once the whistles blew, the Colts proved it.
The scoring opened early in the second quarter when Zack Brock pushed through for a 12 yard rushing touchdown to give Carson an early lead. The momentum grew fast. Darron Patton flipped the stadium with a 35 yard punt return touchdown that stretched the lead and sent the Carson crowd into full celebration. Moments later, quarterback Chris Fields III dropped a perfect 42 yard touchdown pass to Royal Moore. Carson went for two and converted to push the margin to 22 to 0.
Carson kept pressure on Crenshaw. Craig Walker broke loose on an end around, taking the handoff behind the formation and beating the defense to the edge for another touchdown that expanded the advantage. On the next defensive possession, Patton struck again. He jumped a pass and took it back for a pick six that lifted the lead to 36 to 0 and showed complete control of the game.
Crenshaw tried to respond in the third quarter with its best drive of the night, but sophomore corner Bennie Saulter made the defensive play of the game. He intercepted a pass in the end zone and erased the Cougars’ only real chance at scoring. That moment ended any hope Crenshaw had of getting on the board.
After the win, Head Coach Lowe shared the significance of the moment.
“I feel great but I feel really good for the alumni and the kids and their parents and everybody that’s been waiting 22 years for this. I’m really happy for the kids.”
He praised the growth of his team.
“We have been getting better each week. It is a testament to their practice habits. Our kids practice really hard and it shows at the end of the year.”
On what comes next he added:
“We will play next week in the regional and then give them a couple weeks off and get back in the weight room. This shows our kids that hard work pays off.”
He also credited his staff.
“You are only as good as your assistant coaches. We have a really really good coaching staff. They coach all three phases really hard and it shows.”
Carson shut out a 10 win Crenshaw team and dominated from every angle which placed them back in the spotlight of LA high school football.
The Colts will host RF Kennedy from Delano in the CIF Division 3 A Regional Championship on Saturday December 7 at 6 pm at Carson High School.
Carson looks ready for the next stage.
