Compton QB Johnson scores late to keep Tarbabes unbeaten

Compton quarterback Donnie Johnson scrambled 25 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:30 left Saturday, lifting the Tarbabes past Bishop Alemany 18-15 in their home opener.

The score capped a two-play sequence that started with Compton facing fourth-and-10, trailing by three. Johnson found receiver Jay'Rome Norwood on a 13-yard pass to move the chains. On the next snap, Johnson kept the ball and outran the Warriors defense to the end zone, the LA Sentinel reported.

The play was designed as a pass.

"I was supposed to throw it, I didn't like how the [defensive back] played my out," Johnson said after the game. "I just took off and trusted myself."

Bishop Alemany blocked the extra-point attempt, keeping the deficit at three and giving itself a chance. But Warriors quarterback Steven Krase missed four consecutive passes in the final minute, and Compton's defense held, the Press Telegram reported.

The win improved Compton to 3-0. Bishop Alemany fell to 0-3.

Rivera's 30-second explosion

Senior Edward Rivera put Compton ahead at halftime with two touchdowns in a 30-second stretch late in the second quarter. He hauled in a 30-yard scoring pass from Johnson, then stripped the ball from Alemany junior Kai Martinez and returned the fumble roughly 65 yards for a touchdown with three seconds left in the half. Compton led 12-8 at the break.

Rivera finished with 99 yards on 18 carries, two catches for 49 yards and a receiving touchdown, plus his fumble-return score.

Alemany running back Tabery McKnight kept the Warriors in the game with 137 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns, including a 45-yard run late in the second quarter and a 14-yard score with 2:09 left in the third that gave Alemany its 15-12 lead.

Johnson's uneven night

Johnson completed 17 of 33 passes for 181 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He acknowledged the Tarbabes hurt themselves with penalties in the first half but said the team regrouped after the break.

Compton head coach Calvin Bryant said offensive penalties stalled drives but praised Johnson's willingness to run. Bryant told the Press Telegram the go-ahead touchdown was a called pass play, adding that nobody accounts for Johnson's speed when he tucks the ball.