COMPTON — On a night when it struggled to score, Compton football found a way to win in the final minutes.
Quarterback Donnie Johnson scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:30 remaining to lift Compton to an 18-15 victory over Bishop Alemany in its home opener Friday night.
Compton (3-0) struggled to generate offensive momentum as numerous penalties halted its drives. But when it mattered most, Johnson made the plays the Tarbabes needed.
With Compton trailing 15-12 and just over two minutes remaining, Johnson connected with receiver Jay’Rome Norwood for 13 yards on third-and-10, giving the Tarbabes a first down at the Bishop Alemany 25-yard line.
On the next play, Johnson escaped pressure and raced untouched into the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown run and an 18-15 lead.
Johnson said the touchdown run wasn’t exactly the plan.
Compton QB Donnie Johnson (@Cantstopphatz) talks about his go-ahead 25-yd TD run in final mins of the 4th, his connection with Edward Rivera, and improving as a team despite being 3-0 @SoCalVarsity @InsideSoCalSpts @ComptonHSFB pic.twitter.com/SfO3XcPlms
— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) September 5, 2026
“To be really honest, I was supposed to throw the ball,” Johnson said. “I didn’t like how the (defensive) back played the out, so I just took off, and I trusted myself.”
Johnson finished with 181 yards passing, completing 17 of 33 attempts with a touchdown and two interceptions. Despite an uneven night, the junior made several key plays on the final drive and scored the decisive touchdown.
Compton coach Calvin Bryant also said the play was designed as a pass but that he has encouraged Johnson to use his speed and athleticism.
Compton head coach Calvin Bryant talks about the team coming back to win in final minutes against Bishop Alemany, QB Donnie Johnson’s go-ahead TD, Edward Riveras big game, and the defense coming up with a clutch stop @SoCalVarsity @InsideSoCalSpts @ComptonHSFB pic.twitter.com/jhVKVyjrFO
— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) September 5, 2026
“It was a pass play, but I always tell him he’s got to use his legs a little more,” Bryant said. “We know he can throw, we know we have a good running game, but nobody accounts for his legs. We want to make sure he doesn’t get injured when he runs, but it was a great run. He was kind of explosive, looked kind of fast on that (run).”
Bishop Alemany (0-3) still had an opportunity to tie or win the game after blocking the extra-point attempt to keep the deficit at three points with 1:30 remaining.
Quarterback Steven Krase had opportunities to move the Warriors into scoring range but failed to connect with his receivers on four consecutive passes in the final minute. Compton’s defense held on to secure the victory.
Despite the win, Bryant said Compton needs to continue improving.
“When you’re playing good teams, they’re going to get some yards and we (have) to capitalize on their mistakes, and we think we did,” Bryant said. “We just (have) to cut down on those offensive penalties and put ourselves in good situations. I think we will be OK.”
Edward Rivera also delivered a standout performance for Compton, making an impact on offense and defense late in the second quarter.
With the Tarbabes trailing 8-0, Johnson found Rivera for a 30-yard touchdown reception for Compton’s first points.
Bishop Alemany had possession with 26 seconds remaining in the half when Krase connected with Kai Martinez for a 24-yard completion. Rivera stripped the ball from Martinez, recovered it and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown with three seconds remaining, giving Compton a 12-8 halftime lead.
Rivera finished with 99 yards on 18 carries and two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown in addition to his defensive touchdown.
Rivera said he was simply trying to put his team in a better position to win.
Compton RB/WR/DB Edward Rivera scored 2 TDs (1 receiving, 1 on defense on fumble recovery) in a 30 second span in the first half and spoke about those two plays, QB Johnson’s clutch TD run, and building on this win @SoCalVarsity @InsideSoCalSpts @ComptonHSFB pic.twitter.com/48uhaMNgv3
— Chris Camello (@Chris_Camello) September 5, 2026
“You just have to know down and distance, and how much time is on the clock,” Rivera said. “Honestly, just putting my team in a better position than what it was in. I had to strip the ball so the ball was loose, stripped it, take it at least 70 yards downfield.”
Bishop Alemany running back Tabary McKnight led the Warriors with 137 rushing yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns, including a 45-yard run.
Compton hosts Gardena on Friday, Sept. 11, and Bishop Alemany hosts Shadow Hills.