Crespi High's Football Team Is Ready for a Turnaround

It's a new era for Crespi High football.  Jon Mack is the new coach, Kenny Stenhouse is the new quarterback, Dorsey transfer Jordan Simmons is the new top blocker and Michael Davison is an exciting new all-purpose back. Davison is barely 5-feet tall, but he might be the most fun player to watch in the powerful Serra League.

There's even a sparkling new jumbotron scoreboard to calculate all the points Crespi plans on scoring.

Change. Lots of it. That's just what Crespi needs after failing to make the playoffs the past two years after nearly reaching the pinnacle of success in 2007 by advancing to the Pac-5 final – the Southern Section's toughest division.

Plus, many of Crespi's top players from last year's 6-4 team have returned, notably receiver Devin Lucien, defensive lineman Reggie Coates, linebacker Rhasheed Johnson and defensive back Charles Washington – all potential All-Southern Section selections.

There was an oh-no-not-again moment in a season-opening 14-11 loss to Dominguez of Compton, but then Crespi (2-1) got on track by defeating L.A. Jordan 51-8 and Clovis West 34-33, and with so many talented players it would be a huge surprise if Crespi does not continue to improve.

Lucien, who had 46 receptions last year, has picked up where he left off. Through three games, he has 20 catches and fivetouchdowns. He has a bunch of colleges offering him scholarships, and among the intriguing story lines is where he'll end up going.

Lucien has hinted he might make an announcement after the season on national TV, but for now he has three favorites.

"I don't know where I'm going to go. I'm going to keep that low key, but for now Cal, Stanford and Oregon are my top three," Lucien said. "I'll probably get together with my parents and family and teammates and see what's the best fit for me."

One thing is for sure: Lucien has found instant chemistry with Stenhouse, a senior first-year starter who is following in the footsteps of Bryan Bennett, now at Oregon, and Kevin Prince, now at UCLA. In the win over L.A. Jordan, Stenhouse completed 12 of 17 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns, all to Lucien, who had eight receptions for 152 yards. Then, Stenhouse passed for a school-record 424 yards and three touchdowns against Clovis West -- a big-time coming-out party.

Overall, Stenhouse has completed better than 70 percent for 675 yards – not bad for a kid better known as a basketball player.

Davison scored on an electrifying 53-yard punt return against Jordan. The blazing senior also has nine receptions, and every time he touches the football, time seems to stand still for a wisp or two. He's that exciting.

"I'm not the tallest but I work as hard as everyone else and I'm physical," Davison said. "I do my best out there."

Mack remains a legend in Ventura County after winning seven section titles in 17 years at St. Bonaventure High, but he has San Fernando Valley roots as a former assistant at Notre Dame High in nearby Sherman Oaks. For the past three seasons, he has coached JC football at Ventura College before taking over the Crespi job following Jeremiah Ross' forced resignation in January.

Mack has proclaimed he does not want to focus on the past, only the present.

That's always a good way to start.

KEY PLAYERS

Reggie Coates, defensive end, Sr. – Like teammate Devin Lucien, Coates is a top recruit, a 6-3, 230-pounder who had eight sacks last year and must be accounted for at all times. He's in top shape after coming back from a knee injury.

Rhasheed Johnson, linebacker, Sr. – A converted running back, Johnson is playing defense full-time, and he's expected to develop into one of the Serra League's top hitters. Strong and athletic.

Devin Lucien, receiver, Sr. – One of the most coveted recruits on the West Coast, Lucien has 11 receptions and three TDs through Crespi's first two games, including eight catches for 152 yards and three TDs against L.A. Jordan.

Jordan Simmons, offensive line, Jr. – A 6-5, 335-pound transfer from Crespi, Simmons has made quite an impression, as coach Mack calls Simmons one of the top blockers in the country.

Kenny Stenhouse, quarterback, Sr. – Stenhouse has huge shoes to fill following Bryan Bennnett (Oregon) and Kevin Prince (UCLA), and he looks good so far after setting single-game passing yardage record with 424 vs. Clovis West.

Charles Washington, defensive back, Sr. – Coming off a strong junior season that included 75 tackles, Washington has returned bigger, stronger and faster, and that's frightening news for opposing receivers.

CRESPI HIGH FOOTBALL

Coach: Jon Mack, first year

Nickname: Celts

School address: 5031 Alonzo Avenue, Encino

League: Serra

Division: CIF Pac-5

Colors: Brown and white

SCHEDULE

Sep 3 – Dominguez – L 11-14

Sep 10 – Jordan – W 51-8

Sep 17 – Clovis West -- W 34-33

Sep 24 – at Chula Vista, 7 p.m.

Oct. 1 – at Vista Murrieta, 7 p.m.

Oct. 8 – Taft, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 – at Bishop Amat, 7 p.m.

Oct. 22 – Alemany, 7 p.m.

Nov. 5 – Loyola, 7 p.m.

Nov. 12 – at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.