The Culver City Middle School sixth grade flag football Panthers easily defeated visiting Mark Parent Middle School of Inglewood 33-13 on Friday, improving to 3-0.
This much-anticipated matchup turned into a romp shortly after the game started. The outcome never was in question.
Panther safety William Schultz intercepted a Parent pass on the first play of the game, taking the ball all the way into the end zone for a 41-yard pick-six.
Cornerback Brandon Zeidman intercepted Parent’s second offensive play, giving Culver City the ball on the Parent 23-yard- line. Quarterback Emmuanel Shaw connected with Schultz, a wide receiver on offense, for a touchdown on the Panthers’ first offensive play. With a 13-0 lead, the rout was on.
Parent was unable to move the ball on its next series and elected to punt. Shaw received the punt on the Parent 35-yard-line and maneuvered into the end zone for the third touchdown. Despite only one offensive play, Culver City led 20-0.
Culver City was not done scoring. Wide receiver David Lee scampered 27 yards on a reverse for a touchdown extending the lead to 26-0. Schultz intercepted Parent’s next pass, bringing the first half to a merciful end.
Parent scored twice in the abbreviated second half, and Shaw rushed to the right for a 41-yard touchdown to end the scoring. The officials called the game with the Panthers leading 20 with 10 minutes left. For the game, Schultz scored twice and intercepted three passes. Shaw ran for 124 yards and scored twice on the ground, and threw for one touchdown.
The Panther defense was led by Thomas Chee and Miro Garrett who consistently pressured the Parent quarterbacks. Now 3-0 against sixth graders, the Panthers have been added to a more competitive seventh-eighth grade league. They will play against older, more experienced, players in a four-week season. The Panthers will continue to play in the sixth-grade league as well.
Culver City’s first game against older players is Tuesday at 4 on the Middle School campus. The Panthers will attempt to improve their record to 4-0 with a game against Oak Street School at home on Friday at 4.
Mr. Zeidman may be contacted at scott.zeidman@laslots.org