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WaveNewspapers.com

Jordan makes good use of time



By RON GUILD, Sports Editor

Story Published: Oct 7, 2009 at 1:56 PM PDT


It’s likely there’s never been a worse argument in favor of time of possession than last Friday’s Eastern League opener between Jordan and Garfield high schools.


When you hold a 69-24 edge in plays run, a 17-4 advantage in first downs and possessed the ball for more than 40 minutes of a 48-minute game, as Garfield did, logic holds you probably won handily.


But all Garfield (2-3) had to show for all those advantages was a big fat zero.


Jordan (2-3) made a 39-yard touchdown pass from Deshawn Beck to Raymond Ford on the fifth play from scrimmage stand up for a 7-0 victory. The Bulldogs had 63 yards on that drive, but only 40 more the rest of the day.


The Bulldogs spent the rest of the afternoon learning on a defense that did lots of bending, but no breaking.


“We’ll take our wins any way we can get them,” Jordan coach Elijah Asante said. “We tell our kids you win with offense, defense and special teams, but in some games one area has to help out the other areas more.”


Asante gave credit to defensive coordinator Frank Lewis for a game plan that led to Jordan forcing and recovering three fumbles and intercepting a pass (by cornerback Marlon Taylor in the end zone with 8.6 seconds left).


“The defense did a great job,” he said. “Our defensive coaches prepared them phenomenally. It’s tough to shut them down. I don’t know the last time they’ve been shut out.”


From Garfield coach Lorenzo Hernandez’s standpoint, it was as frustrating a day as he’s experienced on a football field.


His team continually shot itself in the foot with turnovers and penalties. The Bulldogs were flagged nine times for 83 yards, with seven of the penalties being either holding or blocking below the waist by the offensive line.


Garfield had four drives end inside the Jordan 20 with nothing to show for it.


The Bulldogs were turned away inside the five as the first half ended and had the ball at the 13 following a blocked punt when a final pass into the end zone was picked off by Taylor.


Sophomore tailback Jonathan Lopez did his part with 112 yards on 23 carries, as did back Julio Silva (17 for 74) and fullback Danny Vargas (15 for 71). But the various mistakes kept them from converting those numbers into points.


“We kept the ball away from them, but if you keep fumbling, how are you going to win?” Hernandez asked.


The holding penalties, devastating to a team relying on a ball-control style, were another issue with the coach.


“That was ridiculous,” he said. “If you look close enough, you could see holding on every play. I know the referees are human and do the best job they can, but that was so one-sided.”


His main issues, though, were with his own offense.


“We’re having trouble finishing,” he said. “The offense is not getting it done and it probably has to do with us being young. It’s all mental.”


Asante is expecting more of the same Friday when Jordan visits Roosevelt. The Rough Riders (3-2, 1-0), normally a balanced team, threw only one pass in last year’s victory over Jordan.


Roosevelt opened league with a 35-7 win over Huntington Park.


“Roosevelt will show a similar style,” he said. “They’re going to try and play keepaway. Coach (Javier) Cid is a very crafty coach.”


Garfield, which hosts Bell (4-0) Friday, looks to bounce back.


“We’ve got to keep moving, grow and get better,” Hernandez said. “This (loss) was hard because of the playoff implications.”


Source: WaveNewspapers.com