Daiyan Henley leads Crenshaw to 40-20 victory over Venice in playoff opener

Daiyan Henley was Crenshaw High’s water boy years ago, and it looked like on Thursday night he was doing everything but carrying the water bottles in leading the Cougars past Venice, 40-20, in a first-round game of the City Section Division I football playoffs.

Henley completed 26 of 33 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 165 yards in 16 carries and scored three touchdowns. It was his 59-yard touchdown run with 9:34 left that gave Crenshaw (5-6) a 33-14 lead.

“He’s carried this team,” Crenshaw Coach Robert Garrett said. “I’m proud of his accomplishment. He stepped up big time.”

Crenshaw also received outstanding performances from receivers Jelani Harris, who caught 10 passes for 151 yards, and Kaloni Ford, who caught touchdown passes of 35 and 39 yards.

Venice freshman quarterback Luca Diamont had his moments of success. He completed 16 of 31 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns, both to Asamm Burroughs. He also ran for a touchdown. But he was intercepted twice and had difficulty escaping the Cougars’ relentless pass rush in the second half.

For Henley, a three-year starter at quarterback, this game was the culmination of steady improvement.

“We came out with enthusiasm,” Henley said. “My line was excellent. The receivers had their best game of the year. I’m just proud of the progress every season and to be better than the last.”

Of course, the challenge ahead for Crenshaw is a road assignment against unbeaten and No. 1-seeded Harbor City Narbonne next Friday night. Narbonne defeated Arleta, 85-7. The Gauchos started substituting in the second quarter.

“It’s the playoffs,” Henley said. “Anything can happen.”

In other openers, Adam Polanco broke a 28-28 tie with a touchdown to give Garfield a 35-28 win over San Fernando. Garfield will play at Dorsey, a 58-7 winner over South East. Palisades defeated Carson, 41-0, for its first Division I playoff win since 1997. The Dolphins will play at San Pedro, a 49-0 winner over Birmingham.

Banning defeated Sylmar, 28-14, and will host El Camino Real, a 27-21 winner over Hamilton.

In Division II, Fairfax defeated Bell, 40-28.