With additional reporting by George Laase.
It has been more than a year since Culver City High School won a home football game.
Their record of winning only on the road continued into this young season.
The Centaurs’ only victory was at Peninsula.
Their record of winning only on the road has continued into this young season.
The 1-2 Centaurs’ single win this month came at Peninsula.
Players, coaches and fans hope Friday night’s 7 o’clock game against 1-2 University High at Jerry Chabola Stadium will end the losing streak.
“We are hungry for a win at Culver City,” said Cornell Myles, longtime assistant coach, after last Friday’s 44-33 loss at San Pedro.
“We are coming together as a team. It is up to our players to realize they are good. We want to give our student body something to cheer about.”
The Centaurs are entitled to cheer about their offense. They have scored 74 points in the last two games.
Now they need to be more effective on defense.
Quarterback Jonathan Martin, receivers Mason Mulvihill, Kyle Johnson and Deven Osborne, running backs Fred Poindexter and Cahlil Hooper and offensive lineman Kyle Mckiniss, Richard Yoshida, Cameron Williams and Cameryn Newman have stepped up their play.
San Pedro Coach Michael Walsh had praised Culver City’s production.
“Their offense was fantastic,” he said.
“I did not expect them to be that successful throwing the ball. They did a great job. I was impressed.”
Although the Centaurs lost, Coach Jahmal Wright saw progress.
“While I am disappointed we lost, I am excited about the way we played. The future looks good.
He called the San Pedro defeat “a 12-round fight. We just came up a little short.”
Several Centaurs, playing both ways, never came off the field. Lineman Richard Yoshida is one of those players. Although he is one of the best linemen in Southern California, he is a team player. “I count on my teammates,” he said. “I want all of us to play great ball.
Yoshida says he is happy with the Centaurs.
“I love our quarterback,” he said. If the line can give Jonathan time, we can win.”
Yoshida said the linemen are the hardest working group.
“Our coaches, Ralph Oliver and Brandon Patterson, stay on us to make sure we do our jobs.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com.
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com.
