The Culver City High School football team appears ready to sweep its next three Ocean League games after facing two of the best the last two weeks.
They beat El Segundo three weeks ago and lost to Lawndale last week. On Friday, the Centaurs are at Hawthorne for a 7 o’clock game.
Next week the Centaurs host Santa Monica at home. Their final league game will be at Beverly Hills.
Culver City, 1-1 in league and 4-3 overall, is in good position because their next three opponents have losing records. Hawthorne is 3-4 and 2-0, Santa Monica is 3-4 and 0-2, and Beverly Hills is 0-7 and 0-2.
On paper, the Centaurs are favored.
“When we play Hawthorne next, it’s an opportunity for a league win,” said Coach Jahmal Wright after last Friday’s 45-33 defeat to Lawndale. “They are going to be ready. The Hawthorne coaches know us very well. WQe have to be ready.”
The Centaurs played a Lawndale team that was big, strong and fast.
“Football is about being physical,” said Wright. “Lawndale kind of pushed us around.
“The good thing about football is we have three more games to get it right. We are going to have to rally the troops and come back strong. I don’t question our players’ heart. They have a lot of pride.”
Lineman Jayson Porter is one player who has his heart and soul into the games.
A starter on offense and defense, he always looks as if he is ready for round two after games. Win or lose, he has a smile on his face. He stays positive.
“We are a team, and we stick together,” said Porter.
“We are going back to practice and get it together. We have to keep fighting. This was our first loss in the Ocean League so we will be alright.”
Porter is 5-foot-9 and 250 pounds. He credits the weight room for keeping his team in shape. “We have been in the weight room all summer,” he said. “We might look small but we make up for it with our strength.”
Assistant coach Cornel Myles wants the players to stay focused. “We have to go look in the mirror and make a decision on how we are going to play in these next three games,” he said. “We cannot play the way we did against Lawndale.
“Our defense has to be physical so that when we get to the playoffs we can make a run at the championship.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com