Tide Turning In City Section?

Rahshaun Haylock

(CBS) - Last year around this time, the City Section was a buzz.  Crenshaw entered Week 2 after holding on to a win against Norco and gearing up to obliterate A.B. Miller.  From there the stage was set.  Five non league wins over five Southern Section opponents.  Something unprecedented for a City team to accomplish.  The Cougars continued with an undefeated regular season and a City Section title before being upended by De La Salle in the Open Division Bowl game.

Fast forward to this season and the Cougars had huge preseason expectations, but so far it hasn't been as glamorous.  Entering Week 2 of the regular season, the 0-2 Cougars are still in search of their first win.  It hasn't been pleasant, and there has been a common denominator in both defeats.

In Georgia, head coach Robert Garret refused to admit the Georgia humidity played a role in his team's season opening loss at North Gwinnett.  The Cougars led 12-7 at the half, but were scoreless in the second half of a 17-12 defeat.

Last week, Crenshaw held a 21-12 halftime advantage at Norco.  They were scoreless in the second half for the second consecutive week.  Kelsey Young's 297 yards on the ground were huge for coach Todd Gerhart's Cougars.  It was a huge win in a televised game, which Gerhart believes Crenshaw "wore down."

It clearly loooks like fatigue has played a huge role in Crenshaw's first two losses.  Crenshaw has a lot of players that go both ways and went up against two opponents that don't.

Crenshaw concludes a 3-game road trip tonight at Banning before playing five of their next six at home.

Meanwhile, making headlines in the City Section is (10) Carson.  I won't start to talk bowl anything about the Colts, but they have had a successful start to the season, beginning with a win at Mater Dei.  Last week they persevered in a 40-27 home win over A.B. Miller.  They're schedule is tremendously challenging with three games against PAC-5 teams, including Santa Margarita tonight and a road game at (5) Mission Viejo in two weeks. That's all before they get into Marine League play.

First-year head coach Elijah Asante has never shied away from facing tough competition and has taken that philosophy with him to Carson.  No doubt a tough slate, but so far, so good.