It took five years for Compton to remodel its campus and build a brand new field, but only 60 minutes to break it in.
The Tarbabes fired on all cylinders in their first true home game since 2019 on Friday night, rushing for over 300 yards and five touchdowns while pitching a shutout in a dominant 41-0 win over Rancho Dominguez.
“Man, it feels good to be back and be able to call this place home,” said Compton coach Calvin Bryant after the game. “Hats off to Rancho Dominguez, but we still have a lot of work to do. We just want to continue to play and get better. We have to continue to work.”
Compton was without several transfers serving the sit-out period, but leaned on junior running back Nate Willard to carry the load. Willard finished with more than 150 yards and three touchdowns, while Trevon Fair added two scores and freshman Jayden Amos also found the end zone.
“My team needed me,” Willard said. “A lot of our transfers were sitting out so I had to step up and be the big player that I am. I had to step up and help bring us the dub.”
On the defensive side, the Tarbabes held Rancho Dominguez to nearly negative net yardage and had a pair of fumble recoveries in the first half. Ameir Jones was in the mix on defense at linebacker and had a handful of tackles for losses.
“Everyone really stepped up and chipped in,” Jones said of his defense. “They’re all leaders and I just tried to do my job. I tried to be the best I could be for my defense at linebacker and set the tone for our defense.”
“The only way we’re going to win is by solid defense,” added Bryant. “My coaches do a great job preparing these guys all week and we’re just trying to enjoy the ride together.”
Compton’s offense battled out some early kinks that included seven pentalites in the first half and a fumble on their first drive. The Tarbabes followed that up with back-to-back scoring drives separated by a fumble recovery on defense. The two drives were capped off by touchdowns from Willard and Fair, respectively.
Willard added another score before half on a 50-yard run down the right sideline to extend Compton’s lead to 20-0. The Tarbabes found the endzone three more times in the second half including a short score from each Amoz and Fair. Willard capped off his night with a late fourth quarter touchdown, his third of the night.
The Tarbabes had to adjust to unfamiliar personnel because of the sit-out transfers, and Bryant said he was proud of how his players came together.
“We had to make a big adjustment not knowing who was going to be in and who’s going to play,” he said. “But we have a good group of guys that came together throw adversity. We just have to keep out heads up and keep playing.”
The Tarbabes will look ahead to their matchup against cross-town rivals Centennial next week. The pair will meet on Thursday at 7pm.
