The Culver City High School football team hopes to record its first win against Torrance on Friday evening at 7 in the home opener at Jerry Chabola Stadium.

After dropping the season opener 34-33 to West Torrance last Friday, the Centaurs found out two facts:

• They have a very good offense.
• But the defense will have to improve if they expect to season with a winning record and contend for the Ocean League title and enjoy a winning season.

“There are things we need to fix, but we showed we have some fight in us,” said Coach Jahmal Wright.

“In crucial situations I need to get my team better prepared.”

Wright said the Centaurs “came unglued a little in certain situations. But we can fix these things.”

The one-point game marked Culver City’s fifth consecutive defeat to West Torrance.

“We will bounce back,” Coach Wright vowed.
Speaking of bouncing, the Centaurs discovered sophomore Kevin McGuire. He was bouncing and running all over the field.
The 5-8, 165-pound wide receiver is one of the most exciting players in recent Culver City football history.

He catches passes and returns kick offs and punts.

“He is a special talent,” Coach Wright said. “We are going to have to find ways to try to get him the ball more. He had his coming out party tonight, that’s for sure.”
McGuire, who also runs track, has been playing for football since the age of six.

“It feels good to be compared to some of the best players in Culver City history,” he said.

“I work hard. I try to practice hard. I do extra things to help me get better.”
Defensive back Charles Roos also enjoyed a coming-out bash.

A wide receiver and defensive back, the 6-0, 170-pound Ross has an outstanding vertical . This allows him to outleap his opponents for the ball.

“I love to go get the ball on offense and defense,” said Ross.

He realizes the key to winning starts on the practice field. “We have to practice harder,” he said. “That will help us win games. We need to play hard on every play and not give up.”

Longtime assistant coach Cornell Myles was not happy about the outcome but was pleased with the effort against West Torrance.

“What we are going to take from this game is that this team has character,” he said. “We were down but we fought back. We had a lot of missed tackles and blown assignments but we kept fighting. These kids are fighters.”

Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com

Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com