Kermit Alexander: ‘Stay Cool, Russell’

Loyola High led Crespi, 14-0, in the second quarter and Celt running back extraordinaire Russell White ran to the sideline after being stopped for a short gain. He looked at assistant coach Kermit Alexander, the former San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro who is White’s cousin, and threw up his hands.

“What are we going to do?� White said in an alarmed tone.

Alexander smiled calmly and replied: “Don’t panic. Stay cool, Russell.�

Late in the half Crespi drove to the one-yard line where White fumbled the ball to Loyola. Alexander did not throw a headset. Alexander did not let an obscenity fly. He smiled and softly said: “Before the game we talked about protecting the ball, Russell. You have to in a game like this.�

White nodded and headed for some water.

A few minutes later White puttered toward the locker room, the last Celt to leave the field before halftime. Alexander touched him on the shoulder.

“You’ve got a second half to play tonight,� Alexander said. “Get yourself ready. You’ve got to earn it.�

White nodded gravely and continued to the locker room. Crespi, with White mostly a decoy on offense but a destroyer on defense, scored three touchdowns in the second half to win, 21-14, Saturday night at Glendale High. The area’s leading rusher with 1,313 yards, White ran for the tying touchdown and had 97 yards in the game.

Alexander is a calming influence for the sophomore, who averages 13.1 yards a carry and--let’s not forget--is only 15 years old. “I stress staying under control emotionally,� Alexander said after the game. “Russell is inexperienced and has so much ability. It helps having been through so many games.�

Russell took off only once on a White flight--the majestic one-way trips to the end zone that have invited comparisons to Heisman Trophy winners.

A second fumble by White, this one early in the third quarter, brought a similar response from Alexander.

“All you did was have the flying elbow,� Alexander said. “Just tuck it and you’ll be all right.�

After Crespi took the lead, White, the free safety, led a punishing defense that completely shut down Loyola. With the outcome no longer in doubt, Alexander turned to White, patted his rump and said: “Good defense.�

White gave a wide grin after the game when it was suggested that his composure is aided by Alexander.

“Sometimes I try to play above myself,� he said. “I want to do it all on one play. He reminds me that there is time. There is always more time.�

White has yet to lose a varsity football game. He has yet to be truly stopped by a defense. Those things are inevitable, but with a mentor like Alexander, White knows time is on his side.