This was a Week #4 non-conference featured match-up between two of the L.A. City Section’s traditional league superpowers, the Garfield “Bulldogs” from the Eastern League and the host, Crenshaw “Cougars,” members of the Coliseum League.
Game Backgrounder: Garfield made the trip to Crenshaw knowing that three of their starters would not be able to suit up and take part in this important non-conference match-up. The key player impacted was starting QB/SR, Adam Polanco. Due to an arm/shoulder injury, he’ll have to wait some 2-3 weeks before he can return. In addition, starting WR/JR/Angel Hidalgo was held out of action due to a shoulder injury. And lastly, FB/SR/Nick Maldonado has been declared out for the season. Nevertheless, veteran Head Coach Lorenzo Hernandez prepared his team to do serious combat with the highly regarded and perennial powerhouse of L.A. City Section football, the Crenshaw Cougars. Facing the toughest teams in the pre-season has been a hallmark trait for the Bulldogs and this season was no different. The Bulldogs came into the game with a (1-2) record, with their lone win coming against Montebello to open the season. They were subsequently defeated in CIF-SS intersectional games versus Schurr and Harvard-Westlake.
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Crenshaw came into the contest with a (2-1) record, having posted wins against West Covina and Fairfax, while losing their opener to South Hills.
Game Summary: As expected, Crenshaw Head Coach, Robert Garrett wasted no time in unleashing his potent Cougar offense against the Bulldogs. On the first play from scrimmage, tailback Solomon Hassen bolted over left tackle, swung to the sideline, and darted 65 yds. for the game’s opening TD. Then, you must add Cougar QB, Jared Greenfield who tacked on 4 TD strikes to his WRs. The Cougar defense then scored on an 8 yd. “Pick-6” when DL Sahbri White rumbled into the end zone. The Cougars added one more TD before half and went into the locker room with a 21-0 lead. Garfield could never get untracked on offense and hurt their cause throughout the game by committing costly turnovers via crucial interceptions. By the end of the 3rd quarter, the score had moved to 42-0, which prompted the game to officially be played under the “Mercy Rule,” signifying a running clock for the remainder of the game.
Bulldog Game Notes: Give QB/Brian Gonzalez much credit for stepping up into the starting position. He gained the much needed game experience to direct the offense in the coming weeks. RB/Moses Gonzalez and FB/Nick Delgadillo carried the ball the majority of the time in leading the Bulldog ground game. While on defense, stand-out play was turned in by FS/Jalen Lawrence, FS/Matt Ventura, CB/Abel Martinez, and DE/DT Adriel Gutierrez.
Final score: Crenshaw 49, Garfield 0.
Next Up for the Bulldogs at home on 9/22/17 is one of the CIF-Southern Section’s Top rated teams from the Trinity League, the Servite Friars, (4-0). Rico Cabrera, Sr./Editor, EastLASportsScene.Com
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