With additional reporting by Larry Weiner and Laura Weiner.
The 3-2 Culver City High School football team moves into the most important part of its season on Friday against 5-0 El Segundo, at 7 o’clock, at the Jerry Chabola Stadium on campus. .
This is the Ocean League opener for both teams.
Culver City, El Segundo and Lawndale are competing for the title.
El Segundo is ranked No. 1 in CIF Division 7 and Culver City is No. 5 in Division 11.
The Centaurs lost their No. 1 ranking when they lost to Dorsey 35-31 last Friday at Chabola Stadium.
“This game was a good test for us before we play El Segundo,” said Coach Jahmal Wright.
The Centaurs will face another high powered offense tomorrow. El Segundo is led by their speedy running back Taz Tauaese who gained 1,328 yards and scored 23 touchdowns last year.
“We are approaching this game like a championship,” said Wright Culver City will match El Segundo’s speed with their own speedsters and an excellent passing game by quarterback Jonathan Martin. He has thrown for 1,440 yards in five games.
Martin’s favorite targets are junior Charles Ross, sophomore sensation Kevin McGuire, junior Tyler Grant, and senior Mekhi Ware, who enjoyed his best game against Dorsey. He caught six passes. The running game is in good hands with tailback Brandon Oum has rushed for 497 yards.
The special teams are playing well. Alexander Smith returned a kickoff against Dorsey for 93 yards. Ross has returned six punts for 142 yards. Kicker Carlos Barrillo, coached by Greg Goodyear, has scored 35 points while missing only one extra point and one field goal. Punter Robert Simon is averaging 34.7 yards.
To stop El Segundo, Culver City’s defense will have to step up and play their best game of the year. The defense is led by lineman Jayden Porter, Nick Swinfod, Cameron Williams, Justin Berry and Roman Hayden. The linebackers are led by Elijah Salazar, Elijah Zavala, Aaron Carey and Jordan Armstrong. In the defensive backfield the Centaurs rely on Ross, Ware, Smith, Justin Cox and Steven Ashby.
Dorsey Coach Charles Mincy commended Culver City. “They have a great program, great coaches and stability. They also have great athletes, just like Dorsey.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
