Crenshaw Slips Past Loyola, 7-6

Finally, score one for the City Section.

Crenshaw High’s 7-6 victory over Southern Section Division I power Loyola Friday night at Pierce College was a watershed win for the Cougars, but it also served as a statement for the City Section.

Several contenders for the City Championship title, including the likes of Carson, Banning and Crenshaw, haven’t shied away from playing top-flight Southern Section teams in recent years, but the City came up empty almost every time, including Banning’s loss last week to Long Beach Poly.

That changed for the Cougars, who forced seven turnovers and survived a 37-yard field goal attempt by Nathan Oakes that sailed right with 30 seconds remaining.

“We showed that teams from the City can play good fundamental football and win against the best,” defensive back Terrence Whitehead said.

Whitehead created most of the defensive havoc, intercepting two second-half passes, recovering two fumbles and returning a punt 49 yards early in the third quarter that helped energized a stagnant Cougar offense.

Crenshaw (2-1) scored on a two-yard sneak by Devin Hollins with two minutes remaining in the third quarter. David Campos kicked the extra point for the margin of victory.

Loyola scored in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Syga Thomas, but Oakes’ conversion attempt was partially blocked.

The Cubs (2-1) had little trouble moving the ball until quarterback Eric McClenahan was knocked out of the game after taking a hard hit in the third quarter. McClenahan had completed eight of 11 passes for 98 yards.

Loyola had a capable backup in junior Matt Ware, but Ware is also the Cubs’ best receiver, which eliminated Loyola’s best offensive option.

“We were prepared for [Ware],” Whitehead said. “We knew he could pass and run. We were ready.”

Ware misread a couple of plays early and Loyola kept turning the ball over until the final drive, which began at midfield with 2:38 remaining.

Ware completed a 28-yard pass to Solomon Seyum to help set up the potential game-winning kick.

Crenshaw’s defensive effort helped overcome an offense that never got going.

The Cougars recovered three first-half fumbles, two by tailback Taylor Williams.

That set the stage for the second half, when Crenshaw added four more turnovers.

“It wasn’t perfect, but this was a huge win for our program,” Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett said. “They didn’t just give the ball to us, we forced the turnovers and beat a class fundamental team.”