HS FOOTBALL: Ambitious Crespi readies for trip to Clovis West

It's the silver anniversary of Crespi's 1986 Southern Section Big Five championship -- still the only San Fernando Valley program ever to win a football championship in the highest division (now called the Pac-5) -- and the Celts are hoping eventually to be good enough to win another one.

In two opening victories, Crespi has outscored opponents by an average of 53 points heading into a heavily anticipated showdown Saturday at Clovis West, the defending Central Section Div. I champion whose only loss last season was a one-point defeat at Crespi.

"As a team, we're not satisfied," Crespi defensive back Noah Ciccel said. "There is still room for improvement. All we can do now is focus on the task at hand, Clovis West."

The trip to Clovis will make for a long day, as the Celts will spend a total of about eight hours on a bus for the round trip, beginning in the morning and ending sometime around 2 or 3 a.m. on Sunday -- if they make good time.

Clovis West (0-2) suffered a 31-30 double-overtime loss to Merced in its Sept. 1 opener followed by a 52-18 setback Friday to Del Oro of Loomis, but the program has been a state power for a long time and must be respected.

"Clovis will be looking to avenge last year's loss. We must prepare harder," Crespi coach Jon Mack said.