No more excuses. It is time for the Culver City High School football team to hit a home run next year.
With eight offensive starters and seven on defense reeturning, the Centaurs should win the Ocean League again and go deeper into the CIF playoffs. They have the talent at every position to play with the top teams.
“The No. 1 concentration,” said Coach Jahmal Wright, “will be to finish games, and to have a good balance among offense, defense and special teams.
“There will be a lot of pressure because we will be returning so many good players. We will be ready.”
The biggest challenge will be protecting the quarterback. “This off-season, we will spend a lot of time in the weight room,” said Wright. “I realized some teams were bigger and stronger than we were. Our skill players are good. It is time to beef up our linemen.”
Culver City’s top offensive lineman, center Alfredo Mendoza, will be back. “He did a great job,” Wright said. “He is a hard worker and a team leader. We expect him to be a coach on the field for the offensive line.”
If the line can protect the quarterback, the Centaurs should be one of the highest scoring teams in the Ocean League. Armani Rogers, a sophomore, shared the starting quarterback duties with senior David Handler. Now the 6-5, 200-pound Rogers will be flying solo. “It’s been a long time since Culver City started a sophomore quarterback,” said Wright. “With his passing and running ability, his future looks very bright.”
When Rogers drops back to pass, he will have some of the best receivers in Southern California as targets, juniors Stanley Norman, Brandon Hasson, Jericho Flowers, Evan Turner, Marcus Moore and Jason Grossman.
“Norman is one of the best players in the state and Hasson is one of the fastest players in the league,” said Wright. “Moore is the complete package. Flowers and Tillman and Grossman will be ready when we need them.”
Running back is in good hands with Donovan Davis, Anthony Polk and Norman returning. “We call Polk the Swiss army knife,” said Wright. “He can play tailback, fullback and all four linebacker positions.” Evan Tillman will also see action.
On defense, the line will be anchored by Fred Wadibia. “He did a good job,” said Wright. “Now we will be expecting him to be one of the top linemen in the league.”
Three out of the four starting linebackers will be back. Jeremy Marrero, Ty’Jason Roberts and Polk will be stronger and faster, says Wright. “Roberts plays so hard,” said Wright. “I expect him to have an awesome year.” Ulysses Santiago is a possible starter.
In the defensive backfield, the Centaurs will rely on Aaron Brown, Reynard Saxon, Jerrett Anderson, Flowers and Norman. Saxon had more than100 tackles last season. “He is one of the best free safeties in Southern California,” said Wright. “With Saxon and Brown at the safeties and Norman and Flowers starting at the corners, the backfield will be very good.”
One player the Centaurs will miss on defense will be senior linebacker Remy Grundy. He was Culver City’s best defensive player. “It’s going to be hard to replace a player like Remy,” said Wright. “We just hope that some of the younger players learned how to be a good player on the field and a good person off the field, just like Remy.”
On special teams, the Centaurs will have speed at every position. Norman will return punts and kickoffs along with Flowers, Moore and Davis.
Nico Melendez is one of the best kickers in the league. “Nico made a lot of big kicks for us,” said Wright. “He is a great athlete who is just learning the game of football.
If the Culver City can finish games and stay healthy, they can go a long way.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
