With additional reporting by George Laase.
The Culver City High School football team – which closes its regular season tonight at 7 at Jerry Chabola Stadium against Beverly Hills — received an early Christmas present this week. Lawndale, the first-place team in the Ocean League, was forced to forfeit four games because a player allegedly falsified transfer paperwork.
Lawndale High School itself reported the incident to the CIF office. Their team was en route to an Ocean League title for the first time in 50 years with a 4-0 record, 8-1 overall.
Of the four games they have forfeited, two are in the league. The illegal player participated in games against the Centaurs, Santa Monica, Crespi and Torrance.
Culver City’s record becomes 3-1 in the Ocean League, 6-3 for the season.
Hawthorne is 3-1 and 3-6.
Lawndale is 2-2 and 4-5.
El Segundo is 2-2 and 7-2.
Beverly Hills and Santa Monica have the same records, 1-3 and 1-8. A
Although Culver City and Hawthorne are 3-1 in the Ocean League. the Centaurs are on top of the standings because they beat the Cougars last Friday. If Culver City beats Beverly Hills on Friday they will be the Ocean league champions.
“Lots of strange things happen in sports and in life,” said Culver City Coach Jahmal Wright. “Although I am happy for Culver City, I hate to see schools get in trouble. At the end of the day, we are all human being trying to do the best job we can.”
Since tonight’s game is Senior Night, “our players should be ready,” said Wright. “We can’t take Beverly Hills lightly. They have big players up front. They are going to be physical. They will try to slow the game to keep the ball away from us.”
In last Friday night’s 35-26 win over Hawthorne, the Centaurs unleashed a balanced attack — 229 yards passing, 228 yards rushing.
Quarterback Bryce Lewis-Wolfe was 17-27 with two touchdown passes. Two Centaur backs rushed for more than 100 yards. Fred Poindexter ran the ball 17 times for 118 yards. and Cahlil Hooper gained 104 yards on 11 carries.
“We just need to stay focused,” said Lewis-Wolfe. “We know what we have to do. I love working with my team.”
Receivers Mason Mulvihill, Kyle Johnson and Mekhi Ware continue stay at the top of their games. Mulvihill caught seven passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, Johnson had four receptions for 52 yards and Ware caught three passes for 55 yards.
Linebacker Elijah Salazar led the Centaurs with 16 tackles and one sack. Linebacker Antwan Smith had 10 tackles. Defensive back Justin Cox had nine tackles. Lineman Richard Yoshida made eight tackles.
Ware continued his dominance in the defensive backfield, intercepting his 10th pass of the season and returning it for a touchdown. Defensive back Louie Schulze joined the interception party with two picks against Hawthorne.
“The kids are getting better,” said assistant coach Cornell Myles. “Now we need to learn how to close out games.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com
