Dorsey Defeats Crenshaw

Elevating his game to a higher level, junior running back Stafon Johnson of Dorsey dragged, ran over and ran away from defenders Friday night as the top-seeded Dons earned a spot in next week’s City Section championship game with a 29-15 semifinal victory over Crenshaw at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

Johnson rushed for 184 yards and one touchdown in 17 carries, returned a kickoff 88 yards for another touchdown and made two interceptions to help Dorsey (12-1) defeat its Coliseum League rival for the second time this season.

“I was going the extra mile,” said Johnson, who increased his rushing total to 1,723 yards.

Johnson received plenty of help. Jeremiah Johnson rushed for 145 yards in 17 carries. Dorsey’s defense, which shut out Crenshaw (10-3) in the first half, was led by junior defensive end Keith Browner, who recorded three tackles for losses and recovered a fumble, and senior linebacker Courtney Williams, who had two sacks.

Crenshaw, trailing 12-0 at halftime, got back into the game on Tyquan Knox’s 60-yard kickoff return that set up a one-yard touchdown plunge by John Thompson.

Dorsey will meet Lake Balboa Birmingham in Friday’s final at 8 p.m. at the Coliseum.

Eric Sondheimer

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Lake Balboa Birmingham 21, Harbor City Narbonne 0 -- An overlooked defense, led by linebackers Luke Laolagi and Byron Bullock, dominated the game for the Patriots in the victory at Gardena High.

Birmingham (9-4), which won the title two years ago, limited Narbonne to 137 total yards. Defensive end Cory Wertz had two of the Patriots’ four sacks.

“We just took it to them and we wouldn’t let it go,” said Laolagi, who also had a late interception. “We wanted to control the outside and make their running back come in to us.”

Narbonne (10-3) had to punt on its first four possessions and seven times overall. Travon Titus, who had 175 yards rushing in last week’s win over Carson, managed only 29 in seven carries before he was knocked out of the game with a leg injury in the third quarter.

Corey Anderson had a big game for the Patriots. He caught six passes from Andrew Miramontes for 180 yards and had touchdown receptions of 35 and 75 yards. He also had an interception.

-- Eric Stephens