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Despite showing some flashes of brilliance throughout the game, Compton couldn’t put it all together in 47-29 loss at Paramount at Friday night.
“A lot of good things tonight, but we still need to improve,” Compton coach Clavin Bryant said. “We got to continually get better. I am proud of [their] effort tonight, but I tip my hat to Paramount tonight.”
Paramount has now won the last three meetings between these schools that are only separated by five miles. The Pirates had excellent field position early and they converted in the red zone as junior Dae’Jon Massey gave his team the 7-0 lead at the 6:19 mark.
Starting they next drive on their own 13-yard line, Compton sophomore Nate Willard exploded up the middle for a big gain to the 31. However, a botched hand-off and a barely missed pass would forced Compton to punt. Luckily, the Pirates muffed the punt, and sophomore Ronnie Mixon would recover the ball at their 45.
Compton’s inexperience continued to show as disorganization would force another punt. But again the Pirates would fumble the punt return and junior Ameer Freeman recovered.
Starting at the Pirate 43, Compton sophomore quarterback Francis Madera would find Willard for a big gain to 27. Madera capped the drive by finding Mixon on a fade in the back of the end zone. With a successful PAT, the game was tied at seven at the first quarter’s end.
For every two steps forward, Paramount would take one step back. Penalties and fumbles were in favor of Compton, yet they could not capitalize on the opportunities. A slow and methodical drive by the Pirates would let Massey score again. Paramount missed the PAT, and it was 13-7 Pirates with 7:32 left in the first half.
On the next possession, Compton would find success in heroic efforts to keep the drive alive. Madera would find senior Diontae Dill on a slant for a big gain to get near the Pirate red zone. Next, Madera connected with senior Robert Smith for a big gain just short, but a face mask penalty against the Pirates, continued the drive.
At the eight-yard line, Madera tried to connect with Mixon on a back shoulder fade, but it was picked off the ball in the end zone. The Pirates would go into their two minute offense, and ultimately Massey scored his third of the night. Paramount tried for two, but failed. Compton went into half time down 19-7.
Paramount received the second half kick, but on their second play, Compton junior Eric Foster intercepted the ball. However, Compton could not capitalize on the opportunity, and they were forced to punt.
Massey and the Pirates would make quick work of their next possession, as he would go 53 yards for the score, and Pirates converted the two point conversion. It was 27-7 with under 10 minutes left in the third quarter. Pirates would score again on their next possession, this time by senior Tyler Goodman, giving Paramount a 33-7 lead with 7:33 left in the third.
Senior leader Dill would bring some life back to the Compton sideline with incredible individual efforts. A huge catch on 3&15 kept their drive alive, then Madera would find Dill dragging across the middle, Dill slips and breaks a few tackles to find the end zone. Madera dotted to Willard for the two point conversion. Compton trailed 33-15 with five minutes left in the third.
Paramount would suck the momentum away, as Goodman would go 60 yards on the ensuing drive, and Paramount ended the third with a 40-15 lead.
Madera would somewhat find a rhythm early in the fourth quarter, driving the team down to the red zone. Big catches by Mixon and Dill kept the drive alive, but Madera would be intercepted at the ten yard line. Pirates scored quickly by runs from senior Jonathan Porras.
With their new spread offense, Compton was able to strike right back, as a scrambling Madera connected with a wide open Willard for the 30 yard score at the seven minute mark. Madera would try to scramble for the two point conversion, but was stopped short.
The Pirates would score one more time from senior Jonathan Porras, to make it 47-21 with 6:26 left in the game.
Compton would score one last time with two minutes left as big plays by Mixon would set up Madera to find Smith on the post, and then Dill for the two point conversion. Paramount would kneel out the clock to make it a 47-29 final.
“I knew it would be like this when we started a new system,” Bryant said. “We were like a lighter, we flicker, flicker, but we can’t be the flame yet. We got to get healthy, we got a lot of guys banged up, a lot of guys cramping up, and we got to get in shape. The games are a lot longer now since we are throwing more. It gives us a quicker chance to score, which I do like and starting to learn. Still got some guys not on the field, so we are excited when they can come on the field.”
Compton hits the road for their last preseason game against Dorsey on Friday, Sept. 13. Kick-off is at 7 p.m.
