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Armani Rogers is the new No. 1 quarterback. Photo, George Laase.
[img]2203|left|Steve Finley||no_popup[/img]The Culver City High School football team has been looking for an elusive light at the far end of the tunnel for the last few weeks.
The bright light for the Centaurs (1-4) this week is the return of seven suspended players and the start of Ocean League play following last Friday’s 48-26 loss to Bishop Amat.
Friday evening’s 7 o’clock game at Hawthorne (2-3) will open the second half of their season Culver City will start their second half of the season.
The Centaurs will be facing a much improved Hawthorne team led by former Beverly Hills coach Donald Paysinger.
“Donald Paysinger has brought a new attitude to the Hawthorne program,” said Culver City Coach Jahmal Wright. “It’s going to be fun.”
Despite losing four of five non-league games, Wright is upbeat because seven players return from two-game suspensions, including All-CIF player Stanley Norman.
“Sometimes football is not all about winning and losing games,” said Wright. “Players need to be accountable for their actions. They need to learn from their mistakes. Hopefully, this will help them become better people.”
Wright also is optimistic because the Centaurs finally have a No. 1 quarterback after five weeks of alternating senior David Handley and sophomore Armani Rogers.
A few days after the last Friday’s defeat, Wright and his coaching staff said Rogers had won the job. “We have not given up on David. But right now we feel Armani gives us the best chance to take this team to the next level.”
If Culver City expects to fight for the Ocean League title, its defense will need to improve. Three weeks after losing their best defensive player, linebacker Remy Grundy, they still are looking for someone to take the leadership role. On Sept. 27, Grundy injured his knee against Paramount.
As for the Bishop Amat game, Wright said his defensive line and linebackers played well. “They scored 48 points on our run defense has improved,” he said, relieved that Grundy “may return this week or next.
“We just need to put together a complete defensive effort against Hawthorne.”
After Hawthorne, the Centaurs will play 7 o’clock home games against Inglewood on Friday, Oct. 18 – that is Homecoming – and Santa Monica, Friday, Oct. 25.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
