Culver’s Perfect Football Season Ends in Double Overtime

The Centaurs lost a heartbreaking, emotional contest to the St. Paul Swordsmen, 32-26, in double overtime.

The defeat ended Culver’s run at a CIF championship.

Culver City had an excellent season, finishing with an overall record of 11-1. They are the first Centaur squad to have gone undefeated in the regular season since the 10th game was added in the 1980s.

Memories to Reflect on

Although the team may have fallen short of its ultimate goal, a CIF championship Culver provided the students, alumni, and local fans with a memorable season filled with many exciting wins.

In a thrilling rally, Culver City, trailing 20-12 late in the fourth quarter, scored a touchdown and made a two-point conversion with two seconds remaining in regulation to force the first overtime.

High school overtimes are played the same way as in college. Both teams get an opportunity to score, starting on their opponent’s 25-yard line.

How It Played Out

In the first overtime, Culver City began on defense. They had St. Paul facing a third-and10 from the 25 when running back Eddie De Dios took a direct snap and ran 17 yards to the eight to keep the Swordsmen’s drive alive.

Aubrey Haynes scored one play later with a 4-yard run. However, Culver's special team players came up big once again when senior Lenyatta Kiles Jr. blocked the extra point, holding St. Paul to a 26-20 lead.

The Centaurs quickly responded when quarterback Darius Banks hooked up with Antwon Moutra on a 24-yard pass and Lowell Rose scored his third rushing touchdown on a one-yard run to tie the game.

Staying Even

On the point-after try to win the game, though, Banks’ kick was high and near the left upright. The official ruled it wide-left, keeping the game tied at 26.

Culver City had the ball first in the second overtime, but the St. Paul defense kept the Centaurs from crossing the 20-yard line to keep the game tied.

The Swordsmen ended the game a few moments later as Haynes scored his fourth touchdown on an 11-yard run to give St. Paul the victory. The St. Paul bench rushed onto the field and celebrated in the back of the end zone as the Swordsmen faithful cheered in the stands.

Visibly upset, several Culver City players remained face down on the field. Other players had tears in their eyes.

Winning Strategy

St. Paul mixed up its ground game, using four different runners throughout the game while Culver City relied primarily on the arm of Banks, the senior quarterback. Defense and special teams played a major role in this CIF quarterfinal matchup. Both teams were able to keep the opposing offenses under control, and they limited each team to one score in the first half.

The Centaurs kept the St. Paul runners in check for most of the game, but they had trouble with stopping Haines in the second half.

Getting the Drop

St. Paul got on the board first, midway through the first quarter, when Deion Williams scored on an eight-yard run. Culver City attempted to respond, but was stopped on a fourth down play.

They were deep in St. Paul territory, but the St. Paul defense sacked the quarterback and created a fumble, which was recovered by the Centaurs, to stall the drive.

Early in the second quarter, senior running back Rose scored to bring Culver City within a point, 7-6. Absent their starting and backup place-kickers, sophomore Cruz Cueva missed the extra point.

Culver City had two more opportunities before halftime. But a fumble at St. Paul’s 19-yard line and an interception at the St. Paul five-yard line kept the Centaurs from scoring. Culver trailed at halftime, 7-6.

Ominous Beginning

The Swordsmen caught the Centaurs off guard to start the second half as they recovered an onside kick.

However, Culver City’s defense caused a fumble, recovered by Jonathan Barkley. This paved the way for the Centaurs to drive down the field and take the lead for the first time when Rose scored his second touchdown. Banks attempted the point after, but the kick was no good and Culver City led 12-7.

St. Paul regained the lead following a 5 1/2-minute drive that culminated in a 10-yard run by Haynes, giving the Swordsmen a 13-12 edge.

The St. Paul Hero

Haynes was the difference in the game.

He never carried the ball in the first half,. But in the second half, Haynes scored four touchdowns and finished with 14 rushes for 112 yards. He was the key factor in the Swordsmen’s win.

St. Paul’s two-point conversion attempt failed when Culver senior Quinton Darden broke through the line and sacked the Swordsman quarterback.

On the ensuing kickoff, junior Kendall Gordon had difficulty and fumbled the ball. St. Paul recovered and took over at the Culver City 28-yard line.

The Swordsmen wasted little time as Haynes ran into the end zone one play later to extend their lead to 20-12.

Culver City drove down the field on their next series, but a Banks pass was intercepted and St. Paul took over at its own 46.

Stymied Until Late

The Centaur defense stopped St. Paul at the Culver City 33. The Swordsmen attempted a 50-yard field goal when Centaur sophomore Victor Burnett came up with a huge block to give Culver City one more opportunity with 1:02 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Banks marched the Centaurs down the field with big passes and a key 17-yard run on a fourth-and-10. With just two seconds remaining, Banks hooked up with Rose on an eight-yard pass to bring Culver within two points. The two seniors connected once again on the two-point conversion and the game was knotted at 20, sending the game into overtime.

Final Statistics