The Culver City Middle School sixth grade flag football team, unbeaten and unchallenged in the sixth grade league, moved up to face more competitive seventh and eighth graders in a D-1 League.

After a minor hiccup in their first game, a loss to Ocean, the Culver City Panthers defeated Park Century School, 16-8, Tuesday at the Culver City field.

Park Century, a team that outweighed Culver City by 40 pounds per player, expected to run over the perceived overmatched Panthers.

However, Culver City drove the ball on their first possession. Failing to score, Culver City let it be known that it wouldn’t back down to anyone.

On their second possession, Culver City drove 75 yards on eight plays, ending with a seven-yard quarterback keeper by William Schultz for a touchdown.  After making the two point conversion, Culver City led 8-0.

Stopping the high powered aerial game of Park Century on the second series, Culver City was unable to move the football.  Park Century’s return man took the Culver City punt and maneuvered his way for a 56-yard punt return for a touchdown.  Park Century converted the two-point conversion to tie the score.

Park Century threatened to score again as time was about to expire in the first half, but Culver City cornerback Royce Williams intercepted a Park Century pass at the Culver City five.

Culver City struck early in the second half when David Lee caught a Schultz short pass. He turned on the burners, outrunning the Park Century defenders for a 71 yard touchdown. Schultz connected again to Lee for the two-point conversion, giving Culver City a 16-8 lead.  The Culver City defense, led by Lee, Thomas Chee, Emmanuel Shaw, Alba Navas, Mia McKinley, Royce Williams, Brandon Zeidman, Elijah Adams and Schultz refused to give in, bending occasionally, never breaking.

With less than two minutes to go in the game, Park Century challenged strong side cornerback Zeidman for a fourth, unsuccessful, time.  Zeidman cut in front of the intended receiver and intercepted the Park Century pass at the Culver City 10 yard line, ending the Park Century threat and effectively the game.

Shaw led the Panthers in rushing, accounting for 74 yards on the ground.  Schultz threw for 97 yards and a touchdown, and David Lee led the Panthers with 81 yards receiving.

The Culver City defense, which has stymied sixth graders consistently, held Park Century to just 81 yards in total offense, intercepting two passes and keeping the Park Century offense out of the end zone.

Culver City, 3-0 in the sixth grade league faces WISH No. 3 on Friday at 4 at the Middle School.

The Panthers go at it again in the more competitive seventh-eighth grade league with a home game against Westchester Innovative School House next Tuesday at 5.

Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.com