There are several Nike-sponsored billboards popping up around town featuring Long Beach Poly freshman 800-meter runner Laila Kirk, who is a two-time national AAU champion.
It’s setting the stage for her high school debut this spring for the Jackrabbits.
She certainly has lots of ties to track and field.
Her mother, Angelita, ran track at Poly and Washington State. Her father, Lamarr, ran track at Dorsey and Washington State. Her grandmother, Margaret Hemmans-Green, ran track at Manual Arts and El Camino College. Her grandfather, Ted Green, was a long jumper at Manual Arts.
Laila had a best 800 time of 2:07 last spring. She also ran the 400 in 54.72.
Long Beach Poly has a long history of producing outstanding track and field athletes, but few 14-year-olds have appeared on billboards before their first race in high school.
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With Dorsey grad Mustard providing a rousing halftime concert aided by a Super Bowl-like sound system and Nike supplying players with much-appreciated sports apparel, the rivalry football game between host Crenshaw and Dorsey on Friday night was both loud and hip. The school colors blue and green were worn proudly by both sides.
On the field, Crenshaw (5-1) came away with a 12-8 victory on the strength of a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown by Kyion Rattler and a 20-yard touchdown reception by Deonce’ Lewis, both in the first half, for a 12-0 halftime lead.
Lewis provided a spark with big catch after big catch from quarterback Danniel Flowers. Lewis had five receptions for 77 yards.
This was a Coliseum League opener to determine which team might be able to give King/Drew competition for first place. Dorsey (2-4) hadn’t scored in its previous two games before Makhi McCluster ran three yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter.
Absent from the game was Crenshaw coach Robert Garrett, who missed his first Dorsey-Crenshaw game since he took over as head coach in 1988. Garrett is on administrative leave, receiving full pay and assigned to home. He went to Friday’s Sierra Canyon-Gardena Serra game in Chatsworth to watch a couple players on both teams with Crenshaw ties, including the brother of former Crenshaw standout De’Anthony Thomas.
Garrett’s longtime assistants have been running the team, with Terrence Whitehead the interim coach.
“We miss him so much,” Lewis said of Garrett, who prepared the team through the summer. “That’s all we play for. Without him, none of this is possible. We have to keep going. The other coaches are stepping up. I’m very proud of them.”
As long as Garrett eventually returns as head coach, every Crenshaw victory this season will count toward his pursuit of 300 career victories, according to CalHiSports.com. He’s at 295 career wins, the winningest coach in City Section history. But when his administrative leave will be resolved remains uncertain.
Dorsey wide receiver Mario McWilliams cuts across the field for extra yardage against Crenshaw.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
For now, Crenshaw is progressing. The team that struggled with player turnout in recent years had 30 players on Friday listed as suiting up. Three players from eight-man power Animo Robinson have made an impact in the transition to 11-man football.
“They’re great add ons,” Lewis said.
Also contributing has been sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Alexander, who was playing drums in the school band at this time last year. Garrett got him to come out, and Alexander had a sack before being taken out because of an injury.
Dorsey put the pressure on Crenshaw in the second half behind two sacks from Saul Avila-Machado.
Crenshaw got the ball back clinging its 12-8 lead with 4:53 left and was able to run out the clock thanks to clutch completions by Flowers to De’Andre Kirkpatrick for nine yards and Lewis for 20 yards.
Lewis said it was “cool” that Mustard performed at halftime, but he and his teammates were too busy with football to listen. “We have to show the City is still alive,” he said.
Crenshaw wide receiver Deance’ Lewis (11) makes a catch against Dorsey defenders Jordan Young (12) and Jordan Johnson (16).
At USC, Stafon Johnson was a running back. As the football coach at his alma mater, Dorsey, he has continued to preach running the football — until now. He finally has a promising quarterback, sophomore Elijah McDaniel, so look for the Dons to run and pass.
“I haven’t had a quarterback in many moons,” Johnson said.
He also has his son, Deuce, playing receiver, so Dorsey will strive to be more balanced.
The Dons have a huge opening game on Aug. 28, playing Carson in a game that could have implications for the City Section Open Division playoffs weeks away.
“I really like how we’re doing,” Johnson said. “We’re still a young team. The core is 10th and 11th graders, but they played last season.”
All-City defensive back Mahki McCluster returns to lead the defense.
Perhaps Deuce has been lobbying Dad to throw more.
Whatever the reason, look for Dorsey to have the option of passing a lot more this season.
