Compton ran for 516 yards on Friday night as the Tarbabes dominated both sides of the ball to defeat Costa Mesa 58-0 at Compton College in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 12 playoffs.
It was a historic victory for Compton winning its first playoff game since 2006. It was the first home playoff game in the city of Compton since 1979.
Erick Barrios, Kenneth Cox and Deon Johnson dominated every time they touched the ball as they rushed for a combined for 445 yards and seven touchdowns on 22 carries.
“We haven’t won a playoffs game since 2006,” Johnson said. “That blows me, we work hard. Being the No. 1 seed, I’m glad to be here, I’m trying to win it all.”
Compton wasted no time attacking the Mustangs’ defense they marched 80 yards and scored after Johnson leaped in on a 16-yard score.
After a successful two-point conversion, Compton went up 8-0 with 8:36 remaining in the first quarter.
The Compton defense picked up two sacks on the ensuing drive and forced a punt to give the Tarbabe offense the ball right back.
After back-to-back first downs, Deshawn Sheppard rumbled in for a 1-yard touchdown to put Compton up 14-0 with 5:20 left in the first quarter.
Over the next 14 minutes of play Compton forced a turnover on downs, got an interception and forced a punt and scored on four drives to take a 32-0 lead with 4:32 left until halftime.
The Tarbabes went on to score 26 unanswered points in the second half to pick up Compton’s first playoff win since 2006.
“We’re so fortunate to be in the playoffs and just play a playoff game,” Compton coach Calvin Bryant said. “Our guys played well, and Costa Mesa gave us a battle. We just played a little bit better tonight.”
Throughout the night the Compton running backs had five touchdowns of 30 or more yards.
“I came into this game thinking about my freshman when we had made it to the playoffs and it didn’t go so well,” Barrios said. “I came into this game thinking about what we can do better to come out on top of this game.”
Playing in front of the Compton home crowd was special for Bryant knowing that if the team was on the road, some wouldn’t have been able to attend.
“It was historical to be able to play this game and have so many faces come back to see the game, especially some of the guys that were part of that past success,” Bryant said.
Compton will now travel to face Walnut on Friday.
