So much for sophomore jinx

One of the biggest surprises last football season was Encino Crespi’s reaching the Southern Section Pac-5 Division championship game behind sophomore quarterback Bryan Bennett, who took over as the starter in the first quarter of the first game because of a season-ending knee injury to Kevin Prince.

Bennett was so nervous coming in that “he couldn’t even call the play out,” a teammate recalled. That first play went for a 55-yard touchdown run by Austin Shanks against Lake Balboa Birmingham.

Bennett never had a moment to catch his breath, let alone consider the consequences of failure.

He was thrust into a starting role at the most important position in football, and he responded by passing for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns in helping the Celts advance to the championship game, where they lost to Long Beach Poly, 13-3.

Now Bennett is going into spring practice beginning May 12 with an invaluable year of varsity experience, and he’s part of a talent-laden class that could keep the Celts challenging for Pac-5 prominence the next two seasons.

Besides Bennett, Crespi’s Class of 2010 includes 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive tackle Ben Loth, who’s on his way to becoming a big-time college prospect; receiver Blake Stanton, who caught 32 passes last season; linebacker Lucky Radley, who led the team with 71 tackles, and center Hroniss Grasu, who’s 6-3, 245 pounds and started 14 games.

“Being the younger guys coming up, we’re going to be the leaders of the team,” Loth said. “It’s a little unorthodox, but we think it can work.”

Bennett has grown to 6-2, 170 pounds, and he proved last season that he’s tough, resilient and adapts quickly.

“Being the quarterback last year definitely has thrown me into a leadership role,” he said.

Working on footwork, improving his mechanics and cutting down on interceptions (he had 14) will be Bennett’s spring and summer focus.

Poly remains the team to beat with veteran quarterback Morgan Fennell and big-play running back Melvin Richardson. Defensively, the Jackrabbits will have all their linebackers and two linemen returning.

While much has been made of how good the Trinity League is with the likes of Santa Ana Mater Dei, Orange Lutheran and Anaheim Servite, the Serra League with Crespi, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Los Angeles Loyola and La Puente Bishop Amat is deserving of attention this spring.

Bishop Amat hired Steve Hagerty as its new coach, and he knows how to build a successful program based on his days at Lancaster Paraclete.

The Lancers aren’t lacking in talent, especially with athletic linebacker Isaiah Bowens and improving defensive back Sheldon Price, both of whom have committed to UCLA.

Loyola won the Division I title in 2005, but it hasn’t made the playoffs since. Running back Anthony Barr, who will be a junior, is an exceptional talent, and Coach Jeff Kearin needs to find only a competent quarterback to get the Cubs back into high gear.

Notre Dame isn’t going to fall off much, despite the graduation of quarterback Dayne Crist. Ryan Kasdorf is Crist’s likely replacement, and he led the Knights’ sophomore team to a 10-0 record.

One of the most intriguing spring competitions will take place at Huntington Beach Edison, where Coach Dave White has five quarterbacks seeking the starting job.

“I’ve always known who my starter was,” he said of past seasons. “They’re all good, but none are ready to take over. It will be fun and competitive. If the quarterback comes through, we’ll have a good year.”

Mater Dei has no such problems at quarterback with USC-bound Matt Barkley ready for his fourth year as a starter. Supposedly, the Monarchs are hurting at receiver because last year’s strong group is gone. But Coach Bruce Rollinson doesn’t seem concerned.

“I feel we have another flight of pretty good kids,” he said.

Sophomore Victor Blackwell and senior Ario Winston “can fly,” Rollinson said. Senior Justin Martinez is a transfer from league rival Bellflower St. John Bosco who’s 6-3 and can jump.

Corona Centennial loses quarterback Matt Scott, who ran the team’s spread offense with uncanny precision and confidence. Taylor Martinez, a transfer from Cajon, is the leading candidate to replace Scott, and he has one of the top offensive line prospects in the Southland to protect him in 6-5, 265-pound tackle Gavin Pascarella.

In the City Section, two-time defending champion Birmingham has lots of offensive players returning, but losing the Jackson twins, defensive ends Marquis and Malik, could be more difficult than playing without running back Milton Knox, who moves on to UCLA.

The good news for the Patriots is they have six players who weigh 300 pounds or more. And backup running back Trajuan Briggs is a star in the making. USC-bound receiver De’Von Flournoy is the best in the City Section.

Harbor City Narbonne finally has put together a formidable passing combination with quarterback Josh Moten and UCLA-bound receiver-defensive back Byron Moore. But Wilmington Banning, Carson and San Pedro are all preparing for what should be a competitive Marine League season.

Spring practice will lead to a busy summer passing season that starts June 14 with a tournament at Dana Point Dana Hills featuring Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly, Los Alamitos and Edison, among others. The Saugus tournament is June 20-21, followed by tournaments at Beverly Hills on June 21; La Verne Bonita on June 27-28, and Edison on July 12.

Zero week games begin Sept. 5, and the final postseason games are the CIF state championship bowl games, Dec. 19-20 at the Home Depot Center in Carson.

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