Crespi High School’s football team rallied from a 14-point deficit to secure a 31-16 victory against Salesian High School on October 17, 2025, in Encino. This win not only keeps Crespi unbeaten at 8-0 for the season but also solidifies their position at the top of the Del Rey League with a 3-0 record in league play.
Crespi’s head coach, Brad Vonnahme, praised his team’s resilience after a sluggish start. “It did not start well. We were very resilient, very opportunistic,” he said. The Crespi defense played a pivotal role, forcing four turnovers and scoring two defensive touchdowns, showcasing a dominant performance throughout the match.
The game began with Salesian taking an early lead, as quarterback Donovan Shirley, a Sacramento State commit, threw two long touchdown passes, putting Crespi in a 14-0 hole. However, the Celts responded when linebacker Daniel Tobar recovered a fumble in the end zone, narrowing the gap to 14-7 before halftime.
Crespi’s struggles continued as Salesian extended their lead to 16-7 early in the second half after a safety forced by defensive tackle Michael Haltom. Yet, the tide turned when Crespi forced a fumble on Salesian’s subsequent play. This fumble recovery led to Jaden Ayala scoring on a 31-yard run, bringing the score to 16-14.
The Crespi defense stepped up again, forcing two consecutive three-and-outs. Kicker Tate Benjamin then converted a 27-yard field goal, giving Crespi their first lead of the game at 17-16 early in the fourth quarter. A pivotal moment occurred when punter Blue McFarland executed a 44-yard run on a fake punt, enabling the drive that resulted in the field goal.
With Crespi leading 17-16, Salesian attempted to regain control but was thwarted by an interception from Oliver White. White returned the interception 34 yards for a touchdown, sealing the victory for Crespi. The final score stood at 31-16, reflecting Crespi’s strong comeback and defensive prowess.
Crespi’s Ayala finished the game with 11 carries for 89 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Chase Curren completed 19 of 31 passes for 207 yards, along with a touchdown pass and an interception. “Our defense has been lockdown all season. There’s no team that can compete with us in this league,” White commented after the game.
Crespi will look to extend their winning streak to nine games when they face Harvard-Westlake at Sofi Stadium next week. Meanwhile, Salesian aims to bounce back as they prepare to take on St. Anthony at home.
