TORRANCE >> Behind an opportunistic offense and a stout defense, the Inglewood football team remained undefeated by handing Lawndale a 21-0 loss Saturday at El Camino College.
Stalled momentarily by three penalties on its first drive, Inglewood’s offense got a big spark when Husan Longstreet found Terrell Bradshaw for a 59-yard pickup. Four plays later, Jamari Johnson pushed his way into the end zone to give the Sentinels a 7-0 lead.
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Inglewood’s Jamari Johnson scores for the Sentinels as he drags Lawndales defense across the goal line in Torrance, CA, on Saturday, September 17, 2022. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)
“(Longstreet) is a fighter. Whether he’s going good, bad or indifferent, he’s going to fight,” Inglewood coach Mil’von James said. “He’s resilient, and he’s indicative of our culture and what we do at Inglewood. I love coaching him.”
After Lawndale’s second punt of the first quarter, Inglewood put its hurry-up offense on display. Following Caleb Harper’s 25-yard run, Longstreet connected on passes of 22. 29 and seven yards before finding Kamal Jabari for a 3-yard TD.
Longstreet finished the game with 191 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 of 25 passing. Bradshaw finished with 100 yards on four catches.
Lawndale had a pair of chances to get on the scoreboard in the first half.
Starting at their own 15, the Cardinals utilized a little trickery to move the ball upfield. Installing the Wing -T offense into its playbook this week, Lawndale ripped off runs of 28 and 13 yards, but its drive stalled inside the Inglewood 10.
Lawndale’s offense, held in check all night, picked up just 109 yards.
“I thought we prepared well this week, and I felt that we shocked (Inglewood) a little with the Wing-T and went a little old school,” Lawndale coach Travis Clark said. “I thought it would give us a chance to win, but some other plays didn’t go our way. It will be a great learning tape for our kids.”
Lawndale failed to get on the scoreboard just before halftime. After getting the ball at its own 20 following an Inglewood turnover on downs, the Cardinals 28-yard field goal was blocked, and Lawndale went into the half trailing 14-0.
“Anytime you see something new and are able to adjust is a bonus. You never know what you’re going to see in the playoffs,” James said. “Our defense responded the way I would like them to mid-game. We didn’t see the wing-T on film, but kudos to them for pulling it out of nowhere. We made the plays we needed to and I want more as a head coach, but a win is a win.”
On the first drive of the second half, Lawndale had a chance to swing the momentum in its favor following a Daveon Upshaw interception. But Upshaw fumbled the ball inside the Sentinel 1, and Inglewood recovered.
The Sentinels made it a 21-0 game late in the third quarter when Longstreet connected with Johnson for a 15-yard score, and Amir Garrison’s interception on Lawndale’s ensuing drive sealed the Inglewood victory.
Inglewood was marred by penalties throughout the game, racking up 13 penalties that cost the Sentinels 102 yards.
“The penalties were a problem, and discipline is key,” James said. “That is on me for the next five weeks, to make sure we rectify all those issues and we correct them, move forward and grow as a program.”