PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS : Crenshaw Gains Berth in Semifinals

After being forced to play Wilmington Banning in a 16-play tiebreaker less than two weeks ago, Crenshaw High School is making the most out of its second life. The Cougars advanced into the City 4-A Division semifinals with a 27-13 victory over Taft Friday night in Woodland Hills.

In the victory over Banning, senior tailback Kevin Hicks passed to quarterback Derrick Williams for the winning touchdown. But against Taft, their roles returned to normal as Williams completed two touchdown passes to Hicks.

Meanwhile, Crenshaw forced four turnovers. Defensive back Devin Montgomery clinched the Cougar’s victory with a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:08 to play.

Crenshaw (8-4) will play Carson next week.

South Gate 26, Westchester 0--In a rematch of last season’s City 3-A Division title game, the Rams, behind senior tailback Ivan Wilson’s two touchdowns, defeated the Comets before 4,000 at South Gate.

Wilson, divisional player of the year last season, rushed for 135 yards in 25 carries and has 1,290 yards this season.

The Rams’ defense, behind the play of linemen Danny Villa and Steve Martinez, held the Comets to 21 yards passing. Villa scored a safety in the third quarter when he tackled quarterback Brad Freeman in the end zone.

South Gate (10-0-1) will play Franklin, which defeated Gardena, 24-0, in the semifinals next week. Westchester ends the season with an 8-3 record.

San Gorgonio 21, Loyola 12--Running back Ron Rivers scored three touchdowns, including an 80-yard punt return, to lead the Spartans over the Cubs in a Southern Section Division I semifinal game before 5,500 at San Gorgonio.