No. 1 Culver City battle Los Angeles Dorsey on Friday.
For the first time in nine years, the Culver City High School football team is ranked No. 1 in its CIF division.
The Centaurs claimed the top spot in Division 11, according to the latest poll by the CIF Southern Section .
Can Culver City hold onto No. 1?
“It feels good to be No. 1 right now but I would like to be No. 1 in December when the playoffs are over,” said Centaur Coach Jahmal Wright.
“The first thing we want to do is to keep our players focused and get ready for a good Dorsey team.”
The Centaurs, 3-1, play Dorsey, 2-2, Friday evening at 7 inside the Jerry Chabola Stadium on campus.
The Dorsey Dons are a lot like the Centaurs.
They rely on speed to break a game open and they can get physical when they have to.
“I am excited about playing Dorsey,” said Coach Wright. “I expect them to be tough and fast. I also expect us to execute. “
Wright said his team goes in with “a sound game plan, and we are going to match their intensity.”
He is predicting a war.
“We will protect our home field,” Wright pledged.
One reason Culver City has moved to the top of the rankings is because they have one of the best offenses in the CIF Southern Section.
Junior quarterback Jonathan Martin has passed for 1146 yards in fur games. Junior running back Brandon Oum has rushed for 473 yards.
Centaur receivers are playing outstanding football. Sophomore Kevin McGuire has caught 32 passes for 373 yards. Junior Charles Ross has 17 catches for 412 yards, junior Robert Simon has 7 catches for 104, junior Tyler Grant has six catches for 104 and senior Devon Osborne has six grabs for 93 yards.
Culver City’s defense has accelerated after giving up 34 points to West Torrance in the first game.
Defensive players to watch against Dorsey are d lineman Jayden Porter, Cameron Williams, Nathan Stennett, Roman Hayden and Justin Berry.
The linebacking crew is led by Elijah Zavala, Elijah Salazar and Jordan Armstrong. In the backfield, it’s Ross, Tyler Luckett, Alexander Smith and Steven Ashby.
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com