Aaron M. Plunkett (Publisher - CollegeLevelAthletes.com)
Crenshaw High School Handles Undefeated Culver City
Stepping onto the field for the Crenshaw vs. Culver City High School football game Friday night immediately gave me the sense that there were going to be two great teams on the field. The end result was quite the opposite, while the Crenshaw High School Cougars dismantled the undefeated Culver City Centurions (48-7). If it weren't for a bit of a second half lull and a few dropped passes, Crenshaw would have won by an even more lopsided margin.
Crenshaw Cougars Begin 2009 Season 5-0
The Los Angeles City Section is back on the map in a huge way in 2009. Routinely labeled as a section that lacks teams with discipline, work ethic, or the ability to compete with big time Southern Section football teams, Crenshaw proved critics wrong Friday night. The crowd was electric from the start, and the score remained relatively close well into the second quarter, but the speed and power of Crenshaw High School forced the Centurions offense into desperation.
Crenshaw Coaching Staff Leads the Way
Crenshaw Head Coach Robert Garrett undoubtedly has his team prepared for the remaining teams on the Cougars 2009 schedule, while Crenshaw is headed into a bye week in week six. After watching Coach Garrett rally the Cougars on the sidelines, it's obvious to see how influential Garrett is in Crenshaw High's success. On defense, as well as offense, Garrett fired up the Cougars and they responded throughout the contest by making several lights-out tackles and pancake blocks.
Crenshaw Players Step up on Both Sides of the Ball
With such a dominant performance against undefeated Culver City, Crenshaw proved that they can win even without key players playing at one hundred percent. However, senior wide receiver Geno Hall was playing at 100%, not to the liking of the Culver City defense. Hall scored on four touchdown receptions, and made an incredible change of direction spin move after a highlight reel over-the-shoulder catch, and left his defender grasping for air on his final touchdown of the game that silenced the Culver City crowd. Hall scored on receptions of 15, 19, 14, and 34 yards. Also stepping up was senior Geoffrey Norwood, who rushed for 72 yards.
Junior DeAnthony Thomas is a Top 2011 Recruit
Junior running back and defensive back DeAnthony Thomas, who holds a scholarship offer from USC, was suffering from a high ankle sprain, however, he showed a nice burst on a 46 yard touchdown run. In regards to USC scholarship offer Thomas told College Level Athletes that, "I feel good about it, my mom feels good about, I'm just here to play ball." Even though it is early in Thomas' football career, Thomas grew up on USC's doorstep, and it seems Pete Carroll rarely has to travel far to find great talent (i.e. Matt Barkley, Mark Sanchez, and countless others).
Pre-Season All-American Linebacker Hayes Pullard Leads Crenshaw's Defense
On defense, Crenshaw dominated the game with the tenacious play of senior All-City, and Pre-season All-American linebacker Hayes Pullard. Pullard was a force in the middle of Crenshaw's defense, and the 5'10" 195 pound USC Trojan recruit showed why he is being heralded as one of California's top linebacker recruits in the class of 2010. Southern California is at the top of Pullard's list of potential colleges in 2010, and Pullard told College Level Athletes that, "Right now, they (USC) are one of my top choices." Pullard is the ideal player, both on the field and in the classroom, and Pullard advised other student-athletes to, "take the SATs and maintain a 3.0 that's the main focus, and have fun on the field at all times." Pullard currently holds scholarship offers from Notre Dame, Washington, Washington State, UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona, and Colorado.
Look for the Cougars to Make it Deep into the State Playoffs
Coach Garrett's defense swarmed to the ball on every snap Friday night in Culver City, and the sounds of shoulder pads and helmets colliding nearly drowned out the Crenshaw High School band. On one play late in the game, Crenshaw running back Geoffrey Norwood ran for a touchdown through a hole created by an outstanding block by senior Hayes Pullard. "I just knew it was my time to be able to block, I can't score every play, I gotta block for my best friends all over the field." Pullard will definitely be missed next season. "Geno (Hall), Geoffrey Norwood, this is my last time with them, these are my role models," said DeAthony Thomas of his teammates who are graduating next year. Crenshaw High School's Cougar football team embodies the team concept.
The Crenshaw High School Cougars are not only undefeated, but they remain a focused team. Coach Robert Garrett's Cougars are 5-0 going into the bye week, and are rolling over opponents in the CIF Southern Section this season. In route to perfection, the Cougars have scored over 40 points in 4 out of 5 games. However, Crenshaw must limit the scoring output of their opponents, as they have given up 22 points a game so far this season. The Crenshaw High School Cougar football team has the fire power, coaching, and determination to make it deep into the CIF Southern Section post season. The Cougars have a strong possibility of making a run at the CIF State Football Championship this year. Don't underestimate the Los Angeles City Section's top team in 2009.
