Crespi (10-0) defeated Mission League rival Alemany 64-59 Wednesday night at Granada Hills High School for its second consecutive San Fernando Valley Invitational championship.

Michael Avery, an all-tournament selection, led the way with 18 points. Tournament MVP London Perrantes added 17, Carter Gallo scored 12 and all-tournament selection Michael Milligan Jr. contributed seven points.

After Crespi raced out to a 7-2 lead, the momentum shifted to Alemany. The Warriors roared back with a 17-5 run to open up a 19-12 lead in the second quarter.

Senior Justin Rubia, who scored nine points, made a tough contested shot in the lane and was fouled to cut the deficit to 24-21 at halftime.

In the second half, the Celts rose to the occasion.

“I think our defense was a lot better (in the second half),” said Perrantes. “Once we get out and run on the fast break, that’s where we score most of our points, and that’s how we came out with the win.”

The Celts took a 29-28 lead in the third quarter and never looked back when Avery rejected an Alemany shooter, and after a Milligan Jr. steal, he ran the length of the floor and finished with an acrobatic shot, knifing in and out of traffic.

“We kept playing hard,” said Avery. “We didn’t turn the ball over as much and just made free throws.”

Avery was a perfect 11-for-11 at the charity stripe. He scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half.

The Celts widened the margin to 54-44 on a Gallo in rhythm three-pointer in the fourth quarter, but Alemany cut the lead to three on three occassions. Each time they got within one possession, Avery had the answer – sinking six free throws with less than 30 seconds left.

“That’s just what I live for,” said Avery, who recently committed to Sonoma State. “I wanted to win so badly. I had to make those free throws.”

Crespi will travel to the Redondo Union Sea Hawk Beach Classic next week.

Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (15-0) defeated Le Grand 34-13 Friday night for the Div. IV state championship at the Home Depot Center.

The Trailblazers raised the state trophy in only their third season as an 11-man program – the first ever San Fernando Valley team to accomplish this feat.

The Trailblazers jumped out to a quick start when Tyler Stewart led a 10-play, 80-yard drive to open the game. Stewart capped off the drive by finding Reggie Prince over the middle for a 13-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead. Stewart finished 13 of 25 for 163 yards and one touchdown.

Le Grand answered with two touchdowns, was clinging to a 13-7 lead and driving again in the second quarter when Brian Tucker’s redzone interception (his second in two weeks) stopped their momentum. It was all Sierra Canyon from then on.

The Trailblazers scored 27 unanswered points beginning with a 41-yard touchdown burst by Xavier Menifield.

“I just saw one of the receivers blocking downfield and I knew I had to cut off his block because he was doing his job, so I had to do my job,” said Menifield, who finished with 129 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.

Sierra Canyon took a 14-13 lead into the half.

“The defense made some adjustments after halftime, and we got back to our brand of football,” said William Young, who forced two fumbles in the game.

In the second half, Reggie Prince swung the momentum for the Trailblazers by intercepting a pass on the first play from scrimmage. Sierra Canyon capitalized on the great field possession with a three-play 19-yard drive culminating in a Danny Jordan seven-yard touchdown dash extending the lead to 21-13.

“It was a great hole, I have to give all the credit to the line,” said Jordan, who rushed for 70 yards on 11 carries. “It was a great feeling. It felt like I blacked out. I scored and then I looked up and saw my mom and dad in the stands. It was one of the greatest feelings ever.”

Sierra Canyon’s defense stifled a Le Grand offense that was averaging 58.5 points a game, forcing three more fumbles and recovering two. Tucker and Sunny Helo recovered the fumbles.

Menifield sealed the deal with touchdown runs of 2 and 7 yards to give the Trailblazers a 34-13 lead in the third quarter. They finished with an impressive seven-plus minute drive to milk the clock.

“This program is in an incredible place and we’re very proud of what’s been built here,” said Coach Jon Ellinghouse. “Now we have a challenge to keep it going.”

Sierra Canyon (14-0) defeated Paraclete 47-14 Saturday night in front of a crowd of about 2,000 in freezing temperatures at Antelope Valley College.

The Trailblazers hoisted up their first ever CIF trophy by avenging last season’s championship lost to Paraclete. The Spirits had previously won eight CIF titles in eight championship appearances before losing last night.

The Trailblazers got out to a quick start when Tyler Stewart connected with Xavier Menifield for a 71-yard bomb on the team’s first offensive play.

“I turned my burners on and got past number 14,” said Menifield. “When the ball was in the air, I had to fight for it for my teammates.”

Paraclete tied the game at 7-7, and was driving late in the second quarter, but after Brian Tucker’s redzone interception, it was all Sierra Canyon from there.

The Trailblazers scored 40 unanswered points beginning with a well-executed two-minute drill culminating with Menifield’s second touchdown of the day. Sierra Canyon took a 14-7 lead into the half.

In the second half, Menifield broke free on a 57-yard touchdown run, his third score of the game.

“Xavier did a phenomenal job for us tonight,” said Coach Jon Ellinghouse. “He ran the ball hard, and we put some of it on his back and he responded.”

Sierra Canyon continued its touchdown party when Danny Jordan found the crease and sprinted 78 yards to give the Trailblazers a 26-7 lead.

“I got to give everything to the linemen,” said Jordan. It’s a play we’ve been working on all year. I saw the cutback lane, hit it and the next thing I know, I’m in the endzone.”

Stewart added a 41-yard touchdown scamper to extend the lead to 33-7.

Menifield scored on runs of 35 and 44 to seal the deal.

“I just kept driving my legs and my teammates were making great blocks,” said Menifield. “A month ago, this team knocked me out in the first quarter, so I had to show them I could keep up with them.”

The win means Sierra Canyon will play at the Home Depot Center on Friday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m for the Division IV State Championship.

After falling behind 7-0, the Celts responded. Mike Davison jumpstarted the offense with a 79-yard kick return. The Celts took full advantage of the great field position leading to a five-yard touchdown pass from Cody Cordell to Jabrian Blackwell to make it 7-6 after a failed two-point conversion.

On the next Vista Murrieta possession, Crespi’s Sebastian Edwards recovered a fumble to give the Celts great field possession for the second consecutive drive.

The Celts cashed in on the turnover on the next play. Cordell threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Chris Harper, who made an amazing leaping catch over two Vista Murrieta defenders to give Crespi a 13-7 lead.

It looked like the momentum was swinging to Crespi and the Celts would take care of business as usual, but on this day it just wasn’t meant to be.

The Celts gave up 31 unanswered points before Cordell connected with Harper for an eight-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

Vista Murrieta’s option-read offense proved to be more than the Celts could handle, while the Broncos defense stymied Crespi as well, forcing three interceptions and five sacks.

Cordell finished 18-of-25 for 197 yards.

On Thursday, the Junior Varsity defeated Vista Murrieta 40-7 to remain undefeated, while the Freshmen team lost 21-7.

Birmingham Loses Seesaw Battle

Birmingham suffered its second loss in as many weeks to Hart 28-20 Friday night.

After falling behind 7-0 early on, Trae Smith hit Marcus Harris on a beautiful hitch and go route for a 78-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

Birmingham took a 13-7 lead on a well-designed clear out play. Smith and the entire Patriot offensive line shifted the pocket to the right, but he fired to his wide open tight end Patrick Zamora on a crossing route to the left for an 8-yard touchdown pass.

The seesaw battle continued as Hart regained the lead at 14-13, but once again, the Patriots answered. Adrian Mora scored on a three-yard touchdown run to give Birmingham a 20-14 lead with only 1:46 remaining in the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Patriots made an aggressive decision. They tried an onside kick, but it backfired. Hart was not only able to maintain possession, but also drove down the field and scored to take a 21-20 halftime lead.

Riding that momentum, Hart scored on its first possession in the second half to extend the lead to 28-20.

The Patriots fought until the bitter end, but fell short.

Birmingham Girls Volleyball

The Lady Patriots lost a heartbreaking five-set match (22-25, 26-24, 25-19, 16-25, 8-15) to Taft in West Valley League play on Monday night.

Boys Water Polo

Crespi defeated Camarillo 23-6 last Friday, Sept. 23, lost to Beverly Hills 13-12 on Tuesday and defeated Burroughs 10-8 in overtime on Thursday.

Birmingham defeated Van Nuys 20-6 on Monday.

This Week in History

2004: Birmingham’s Andrew Miramontes threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-27 victory over Hart.

2007: Birmingham’s Milton Knox rushed for 179 yards and four touchdowns in a 30-10 victory over Dorsey.

2007: Crespi’s Austin Shanks rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns in a 25-10 victory against St. Bonaventure.

2008: Birmingham’s Tajuan Briggs rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-6 victory over Dorsey.

2010: Crespi’s Kenny Stenhouse threw for 484 yards and five touchdowns in a 45-31 victory over Vista Murrieta. The 484 yards passing is the most in Crespi history.

This Week’s Schedule

Monday, Oct. 3

Birmingham Water Polo vs Kennedy at Humphrey, 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Birmingham Girls Tennis at Chatsworth, 2:30 p.m.

Birmingham Girls Volleyball at Chatsworth, 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Crespi Water Polo vs Harvard-Westlake at Pierce College, 3:00 p.m.

Birmingham Water Polo vs Verdugo, 3:00 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6

Crespi Football at Taft, 7:00 p.m.

Crespi Cross Country, Mission League Cluster Meet 2 at Balboa Park, 2:00 p.m.

Birmingham Cross Country vs Chatsworth and Cleveland at Pierce College, 2:30 p.m.

Birmingham Girls Volleyball at Granada, 4:00 p.m.

Birmingham Girls Golf vs Van Nuys, Kennedy, Sylmar, Resdeda and Verdugo at El Cariso, 2:00 p.m.

Birmingham Girls Tennis at Granada, 2:30 p.m.

Junior quarterback Cody Cordell continued to shine, throwing for 257 yards and four touchdown passes. Chris Harper caught two of the touchdown passes, including a 78-yard connection and Mike Davison caught a 53-yard touchdown pass. Terrence Williams led the team in rushing with 71 yards on nine carries.

On defense, Brandon Arnold made two interceptions including a 90-yard return for a touchdown.

The Celts’ high-octane offense is averaging 48.5 points a game, while the defense has only allowed 8.5 points a game.

Crespi plays undefeated Vista Murrieta at home this Friday in a key non-league contest. Vista Murrieta has made the Inland Division championship each of the past two years. Last year, the Celts defeated Vista Murrieta 45-31 behind the strength of its two senior receivers Chris Harper and Mike Davison, who had 142 yards and 113 yards respectively.

The game will be streamed live on foxsportswest.com at 7 p.m.

The Crespi Junior Varsity and Freshmen teams also remained unbeaten. The Junior Varsity defeated Palisades 41-0 last Friday, while the Freshmen beat Corona 26-2 last Thursday.

Tough Knight for the Patriots

Birmingham (3-1) suffered its first loss of the season to the Notre Dame Knights 34-12 Friday night.

The Patriots were led by Marcus Harris who caught eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. Senior fullback Joseph Pereira scored the other Patriot touchdown on a three-yard plunge.

The Patriots play their last non-league game of the year at home against Hart this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. before moving on to West Valley League play.

Early Season Cross Country Results

Seaside Invitational in Ventura, Sept. 9

Seniors

Crespi’s Nick Privitelli finished 16th out of 278 seniors in the three-mile Seaside Invitational in Ventura with a time of 15:48.78. Crespi’s Billy Anderson (17:18.91) and Birmingham’s Carlos Martinez (17:31.63) finished 108th and 120th respectively.

In the girls competition, Birmingham’s Carly Alanis (19:23.08) and Stacy Villegas (19:36.11) were 23rd and 29th out of 186 competitors.

Juniors

Alex MacMiller (24th with 16:17.46), JoJo Cortez-Adams (25th with 16:18.32) and Tyler Cushman (58th with 16:57.14) led the way for the Celts, who finished eighth out of more than 30 schools in the junior team competition.

Erik Sandoval (29th with 16:24.28) and Luis Solano (56th with 16:53.69) excelled for Birmingham in a race that included 333 runners.

Kimberly Nava (28th with 19:52.10), Dominique Dowell (47th with 20:07.79) and (Genesis Fabian 55th with 29:32.72) all made impressive performances for Birmingham in a field of 269 junior runners.

Sophomores

Birmingham’s Jarrick Wenslow finished eighth out of 370 runners with a time of 16:20.11, while Crespi’s Warren Bonilla finished 10th at 16:21.69.

Other top sophomores included Birmingham’s Erick Villegas (25th with 17:03.00) and Crespi’s James Lockhart (37th with 17:22.69).

Birmingham’s Jasmine Macon (11th with 19:01.69) and Stacy Macias (34th with 20:08.02) had strong performances in a field of 306 girls.

Freshmen

Birmingham’s Ryan Alexander won the freshman race with a time of 16:18.84. Evan Anozie from Crespi finished 26th out of 323 participants with a time of 18:17.35.

Birmingham’s Vanessa Barajas finished 34th out of 272 freshmen girls clocking in at 21:25.98.

Mission League Cluster Meet 1, Sept. 12

Privitelli finished second in the Mission League meet at Crescenta Valley Park with 16:21.71. Anderson, Bonilla, Cortez-Adams, Cushman, MacMiller, Privitelli and Gabe Calove contributed to a second-place team finish, behind only Loyola.

Water Polo

The Crespi water polo team came in second place at the San Marino tournament on Sept. 17. In the tournament, the Celts defeated Pasadena, Oxnard and San Marino, which went to triple overtime. On Sept. 21, the Celts lost to Moorpark 10-9 in overtime.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL WATCH

Crespi

Tight end Joseph Fauria (’08) has caught nine passes for 153 yards this season for UCLA, both the second most on the team.

D.J. Holt (’07) is a starting linebacker at California. He made six tackles in a loss to Washington last week.

Safety Mark Watley (’08) has one interception and 15 tackles for Arizona this season.

Defensive back L.J. Jones (’08) has two interceptions for Fresno State this season.

Quarterback Kevin Prince (’08) has completed 6-of-10 passes for 84 yards for UCLA this season.

Yusef Rodgers (’07) is the starting right tackle at UNLV and Hroniss Grasu (’10) is the starting center for Oregon.

Receiver Kevin Cummings (’09) has reeled in three catches for 13 yards for Oregon State this season.

Bryan Bennett (’10) is 7-of-13 for 95 yards and two touchdowns as Oregon’s backup quarterback.

Birmingham

Tight end Mychal Rivera (’08) has 11 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown in three games for Tennessee.

Defensive back Will Chandler (’07) made six tackles last week for UNLV.

Defensive lineman Marquis Jackson (’08) had three tackles and a forced fumble for Texas Southern last week against Texas College.

Defensive lineman Malik Jackson (’08) had five tackles for Tennessee in his most recent game against Florida.

Defensive tackle Donovan Carter (’08) has five tackles for UCLA in three games.

Running back Milton Knox (’08) had seven carries for 27 yards in Fresno State’s victory over Idaho last week.

Quarterback Maxwell Smith (’11) completed 6-of-11 passes for 41 yards for Kentucky last week against Florida.

Tight end Rafael Lopez (’08) has one catch for Columbia this season.

Quarterback Exavier Johnson (’08) has completed 3-of-3 passes for Gardner-Webb.

Offensive tackle Jordan Simmons has more than 30 scholarship offers and is already committed to playing in the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando next January. According to Rivals.com, Simmons is the top-ranked offensive guard in the nation fielding offers from USC, UCLA, Norte Dame, Florida, Nebraska and Auburn among others.

Offensive lineman Richard Wolff returns with 30 more pounds of muscle after making first team All-Serra League as a sophomore. According to Wolff, the average weight of the starting offensive line is 280 pounds. The average height is slightly more than 6-foot-3.

“We’re a very big, powerful line,” said Wolff. “I think physically we’re going to be dominant.”

Transfers Jacob Speer (Granada Hills) and Colin Prestesater (Glendora) along with returner Stephen Hutchinson solidify the stellar line.

The offensive line will protect starting quarterback Cody Cordell, a transfer from Oaks Christian, who has quickly adjusted to a new home, learning a new playbook and leading a new team.

“I feel like it was God’s plan for me,” said Cordell. “My parents have been a great asset and have supported me. The coaches and players have helped me out with the playbooks, so it’s really been an easy transition.”

Senior Chris Harper (60 receptions, 940 yards and seven touchdowns) leads a talented and deep receiving core. Harper was named to the ESPN preseason All-California Team and has received FBS scholarship offers from Colorado, Georgia Tech, SMU and UTEP.

Receiver Mike Davison (56 receptions, 637 yards and six touchdowns) has overcome the adversity of being the shortest man on the field throughout his entire career. Davison is listed as 5-foot-4, but compensates with possibly the quickest feet in all of high school football. He, along with Harper, were part of Keyshawn Johnson’s 1925 7-on-7 team that travelled to Dallas, Texas during the offseason.

Other impact offensive players include receivers Jack Vonarb and Jabrian Blackwell, tight end Trevon Calahan and last year’s leading rusher, Terrence Williams (345 yards and five touchdowns).

On defense, linebacker Lawrence Wilkerson returns after recording a team-high 108 tackles in 2010. He made first team All-Serra League. Seniors Sebastian Edwards, Corey Peoples and Skyler Stone also will play key roles for the Celts this season.

The defensive line will be anchored by senior nose tackle Kourey Gabriel, who forced three fumbles last season. William Vasquez, Raymond Davison and Shawn Lemoto will also wreak havoc on opposing offenses in the trenches.

The secondary features seniors Noah Ciccel and Nathan Walker and juniors Brandon Arnold and Tyler Foreman. Foreman, who made 66 tackles in 2010, was named to the GoldenStatePreps.com “All-SuperSoph” team last year.

The Crespi High football team has received high praise from Maxpreps and ESPN Rise early this season, ranking ninth and 12th in the state respectively.

“Honestly, we don’t even think about it,” said Wilkerson. “We just try to do the best we can.”

The first game is set for 7 p.m. next Friday, Sept. 2 at Dominguez in Compton.

Crespi Hosts Scrimmage

The Celts challenged themselves Friday night with a four-team scrimmage against Westlake, Crenshaw and Santa Fe.

The scrimmage started with all four teams practicing kickoffs and punts against each other. The four teams split into two 1-on-1 scrimmages from the 40-yardline to the end zone at opposite ends of the field. The teams traded 10 plays from the 40-yardline, 10 from the 20-yardline and 10 from the 10-yardline in each scrimmage.

Crenshaw Scrimmage Highlights:

Cordell hit Harper in stride on a 40-yard touchdown pass. The defense made a goal-line stand. Patrick Cassley made a field goal. Williams powered his way for a goal-line score and Okalani Langi scored a rushing touchdown from five yards out.

Westlake Scrimmage Highlights:

Cordell connected with Harper for their second long touchdown of the night. Davison evaded three Westlake defenders on a seven-yard touchdown reception from Cordell. Williams and Langi each added touchdown runs.

Ocean View jumped ahead 2-0 in the top of the first, added seven in the second and three more in the third. The 12-0 margin was too much to overcome for Encino, which had four come-from-behind victories in its previous six games.

Gordon Magruder belted one RBI, Mike Cohen had one hit and scored one run and Jamie Robertson added a hit.

Encino now faces a similar scenario to the sub-divisional. Encino will need to defeat Ocean View two days in a row to win the Southern California Championship Series. It won’t be easy considering Ocean View is the defending Southern California champion, but it’s certainly attainable. Just two years ago, Park View lost in a mercy in game one of the championship series, just like Encino, and eventually won the World Series.

Southern California Championship Series – 2441 E. Cortez St., West Covina
Game 2 – Encino vs Ocean View (7/31 – 3 p.m.)
Game 3 – If necessary (8/1 – 7 p.m.)