With additional reporting by George Laase.
The mark of a good athletic program is making the playoffs at the end of the regular season. Under athletic director Tom Salter, Culver City High School continues to produce teams that make it to the big dance.
Starting with football, three fall teams are in the CIF playoffs.
In addition to football, the girls volleyball and boys water polo teams will battle Southern California’s best for the right to be called CIF champions.
The volleyball and water polo teams won their first round games Tuesday and the football team plays at home Friday night at 7 in the opening round against Pacifica of Oxnard. Both teams are 7-3.
The Centaurs’ volleyball and water polo teams play second round matches today. The 17-11 volleyball team will face strong Elsinore (30-8) team at a neutral site and the water polo team will play Crescenta Valley.
The Ocean League football champs are playing an Oxnard area team for the second time. The Centaurs beat Channel Islands. Friday’s opponent, Pacifica, is from the same Pacific View League.
Coach Jahmal Wright feels good and bad going into the playoffs.
“It feels good being league champions,” he said. “But I still feel bad for Lawndale who had to forfeit those games” that helped give first place to the Centaurs who defeated Beverly Hills last Friday in the regular season finale.
“Don’t get me wrong. I am happy for our players, parents, coaches, the entire Culver City community. I am also happy to have a home game in the first round.”
Wright has played in and coached enough playoff games to know the stakes are high. “Every team is going to be good,” he said. “We need to come ready to play from the beginning. We have to stop these slow starts, and we must cut down on our penalties.”
Wright will look to seniors to keep the team focused.
“I can’t say enough about our seniors,” he said. “They are the main reason we were able to turn this program around after going 2-8 last year. The character and the leadership of the seniors helped change the culture of our program.”
One senior who let his actions speak louder than his words is Mason Mulvihill, Culver City’s best receiver, one of their best defensive players and he also plays on special teams.
“It’s amazing to be league champions,” he said Mulvihill.
“I have been a part of this program my whole life. Our senior leadership took control this year and laid down the law. We told the younger players we did not want the same thing to happen like last year. They understood. Everyone sacrificed a lot. Now we have to stay humble.”
Water Polo
When the water polo team defeated Brentwood in their first round game last Tuesday, they presented longtime Coach Nestor Dordoni, Sr. with one of the best birthday presents he could have received.
“It’s been a long season,” he said. “The kids just played their best game of the year. Our defense was outstanding.”
Mr. Finley may be contacted at sfinley50@aol.com
Mr. Laase may be contacted at GMLaase@aol.com