HS FOOT: Crespi's Graves catches on

It was big news a couple of years ago when Brandon Graves, then one of the Southland's top young multi-sport athletes, transferred to Crespi of Encino.

There was great hope the fast, athletic Graves would continue to make quite an impact in football, basketball and track, as he did as a sophomore at Los Alamitos, a large public school known for its top sports programs.

But Graves was ruled ineligible at Crespi because of residency issues and was forced to sit out all of his junior year.

Then, a summer shoulder injury kept Graves out of Crespi's first three games this season, so it seemed like forever before he finally got a chance to contribute.

But the 5-foot-8, 165-pound senior receiver is making up for lost time in a big way. He has scored six touchdowns over the past three games - including an 88-yard kick return Friday in a nonleague victory over St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs - heading into tonight's Serra League opener between the Celts (4-3) and host Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (6-1). Kickoff is 7:30 p.m.

"It was very frustrating for him. I think it was getting to the point where Brandon was wondering if he was ever going to play," said teammate Ben Loth, an offensive lineman. "So he's absolutely stoked to get on the field, and he can really do some things. I think he's going to have another big game this week."

In four games, Graves has 17 receptions for 326 yards, a 19.2 average, and he has scored six touchdowns.

"I feel good. I really feel good," Graves said. "It was hard last year, but I just kept talking to my coaches, and they told me everything would be fine and to keep believing. And now that I'm back, everything is fine."

At Los Alamitos, Graves caught 28 passes. He also was a starting point guard on the basketball team and a league track champion in the 200 meters.

"It took a couple of weeks for Brandon to get his legs under him, but he's done a good job. He's an explosive kid," coach Jeremiah Ross said. "I'm glad to see he's having some success because he has had to wait his time. He's an exciting player and a good kid. I'm glad to see he's doing well. We all knew how much he could help. He could have helped last year."

Since Graves could not participate in varsity football in 2008, he played on the junior varsity. One of the first times he touched the ball, he scored on a 98-yard run on a broken play. He finished with 22 touchdowns on the JV, including four against Saugus. He also participated in JV basketball and track.

Graves made his varsity football debut in September against Servite of Anaheim, entering late in the first half with Crespi down by 31 points. He ended up catching three passes for 65 yards to help the Celts make a game out of it in a 38-28 loss.

"Brandon is just a great player. Very athletic and very fast, and he uses his feet very well," offensive lineman Hroniss Grasu said. "He plays hard, too. He's not one of the biggest guys out there, but he has one of the biggest hearts, and he shows that on Friday nights. He's having a great year so far."

Graves is one of several top receivers for Crespi, including Devin Lucien (33 receptions, eight touchdowns), Blake Stanton (18 receptions, four touchdowns) and Iowa State-bound tight end Pierce Richardson (nine receptions, two touchdowns).

It helps having a top quarterback in three-year starter Bryan Bennett, who has completed 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,468 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Expect Crespi to pass the football a lot tonight at Notre Dame. The underdog Celts could use as many big plays as possible, and that's where Graves could help. He is on a hot streak and Crespi is hoping it continues in a crucial league game that figures to have playoff implications.

-- Gerry Gittelson