With additional reporting by Jerry Weiner and Greg Goodyear.
The Ocean League champion Culver City High School football team plays a tough non-league September schedule before confronting Ocean teams in October.
The season starts a week from Friday.
On Aug. 26, the Centaurs travel to Mira Costa for a 7 o’clock game.
The non-league schedule continues on Friday, Sept. 2.
The Centaurs stay on the road, playing West Torrance at 7.
Culver City’s first home game will be against Torrance, Friday, Sept. 9, at 7.
They remain at Jerry Chabola Stadium on Friday, Sept. 16, for a 7 o’clock date with North Torrance.
The Centaurs finish their non-league schedule on the last two Fridays in September, against LAUSD opposition.
On Sept. 23, the Centaurs play at University High at 7.
Back at Chabola Stadium on Sept. 30, Culver City is matched against nearby Dorsey, at 7.
Coach Jahmal Wright is excited about the team, especially his defense.
Led by a fast secondary, the defense will feature athletic newcomers on the line and at linebacker.
The strength of the defense is in the secondary All-CIF and all-league Mekhi Ware is the anchor who led the state with 11 interceptions last year. Junior Alex Smith, the junior varsity Most Valuable Player last year, is a player to watch.
Strong safety John Lewis, Justin Cox, Steve Ashby, Charles Ross, Tyler Luckett, Jamar Barnes, Jerrion Anderson and Christian Williams are Centaurs to follow
Cox, a senior, is a three-year varsity player, one of the best athletes in the school.
The defensive line will feature Justin Berry, Jayden Porter, Nathan Stennett, Roman Hayden, Diego Badillo and Amirt Hodge.
The linebackers will be led by three-year veteran Elijah Zavala, along with Aaron Carey, Agustus Frazier, Diego Lopez, Alex Sanchez, Jordan Armstrong, Billy Greene and Justin Daniels.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
