Taft Proves Better Than Washington

Woodland Hills Taft High never quite figured out how to stop Washington’s multi-formation offense.

So the Toreadors settled for simply taking the ball away, recording four turnovers and a safety en route to a 33-21 victory Wednesday in a City Section Division 4-A quarterfinal at Taft High.

Taft quarterback Nick DiPadova struggled through a subpar night, completing only seven of 17 passes for 68 yards.

In fact, Washington outgained Taft, 332 yards to 267. But turnovers hurt the Generals (7-5) with quarterback Johnny Marin throwing three interceptions.

Marquis Brignac led Taft (12-0), rushing for 134 yards and three touchdowns in 19 carries.

Westchester 59, Fremont 0--Senior quarterback Brennan Crooks completed 17 of 28 passes for a season-high 333 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Comets (12-0) to an easy victory in a 4-A quarterfinal at Westchester.

His favorite target was Bennie Bishop, who finished with six receptions for 168 yards and four touchdowns. Eugene Childs had seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Fremont finished 9-3.

Wilson 37, Locke 20--Junior running back Jarod Smith rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns in 17 carries to lead the Mules (8-4) over the Saints (6-5) in a 3-A quarterfinal at Huntington Park High.

Quarterback Julio Briones passed for 135 yards and one touchdown and ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns in nine carries.

For the second week in a row, Wilson’s defense held its opponents to fewer than 50 yards of offense.

University 12, Bell 6--Senior tailback Harold Stephens scored the game-winning touchdown on a one-yard run in the third overtime to give the Warriors (7-5) a victory in a 3-A quarterfinal game at Palisades High.

Bell finished 7-5.