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Stanley Norman, only one hand on the ball, scores one of his four Centaur touchdowns.
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Donovan Davis breaks for a Centaur score against Peninsula. Photos, George Laase.
There is an old saying in sports that two things you cannot teach are height and speed.
Culver City High School’s football team has speed, and it was on display last Friday afternoon at Peninsula High in the South Bay. The Centaurs turned a close game into a track meet in the second half to sprint past Peninsula, 41-27.
The Centaurs are 1-1 going into Friday night’s 7 o’clock home game against a good Redondo Beach team.
Redondo, 2-1, and brings an offense that is balanced between passing and running. They average 187 yards a game passing and 184 yards a game running. Led by quarterback Harrison Feacher, the Redondo senior has passed for 561 yards and rushed for 107 yards the first three weeks. Redondo’s two running backs, Jamaal Perkins and Stephon Sudduth, have combined for 370 yards on the ground.
“Redondo is a very good team and we are going to have to be at our best to win the game,” said Culver Coach Jamal Wright.
Against Peninsula the Centaurs woke up in the second half, scoring 28 points in the third quarter.
“The big difference in this game was that we were able to create big plays and score,” said Wright. “Peninsula is a disciplined team. But they lacked overall team speed so we were able to create plays in open spaces.”
When Culver City needs a big play, they turn to junior all-purpose star Stanley Norman. He combines speed, quickness and power to be rated one of the best players in California. Norman scored four touchdowns against Peninsula.
“Stanley was unbelievable,” said Wright. “He is such a great player that we try to get him the ball as much as possible. Once he gets the ball, he is very difficult to tackle.
“He has good track speed but great football speed.
“What he lacks in size he makes up for it with his strength and speed. He makes my coaching job a lot easier.”
To beat Redondo on Friday the Centaurs will need a complete team effort on offense, defense and special teams, Wright said.
“We gave up 20 points to Peninsula late in the game, when we were trying to let most of our 53 players get into the game,” he said.
“Overall our defense played well.”
Once again the quarterback situation is unstable.
David Handler and Armani Rogers will continue to share time.
“David is our starter right now,” said Wright. “ He has more experience. We will continue to play David and Armani until one player clearly moves ahead of the other.”
On special teams junior kicker Niko Melendez is playing well and punt returner Jericho Flowers had a big game against Peninsula.
If the Centaurs expect to beat Redondo all three phrases of their game must be working at a high level, offense, defense and special teams.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
