Centaurs declaw panthers, 51-0, Face powerhouse Bishop Amat

By Mike Cohen

Whatever West Adams gave to the Centaurs last week, Bishop Amat will take away this Friday.

Playing with a running clock in the second quarter and throughout the rest of the one-sided game, Culver City (3-1) dominated the outmanned visiting West Adams Prep Panthers, 51-0, last Friday in a non-league encounter.

The Centaurs travel this Friday to La Puente to play CIF Division I power Bishop Amat, the school that gave Culver High athletic director Tom Salter a CIF crown in 1995.  In their final pre-season game before they host Hawthorne the following week to open the Ocean League, the Centaurs for only the second time in their history will take on a division one powerhouse.

The Lancers topped St. Paul, 35-24, last week, in a rivalry game.  Culver City lost a close game with Bishop Amat this summer in the Claremont passing tournament.

Ranked eighth in the state, Bishop Amat (4-0-1) has scored at least 30 points in every game.  The Lancers compete in the physical Serra League which includes Alemany, Crespi, Loyola and Notre Dame.  They also battle in the Pac-5 Division that is one of the toughest in Southern California and includes teams from Orange, Los Angeles, and Ventura counties.

The Lancers switched from a power I offense to a wide open passing attack that is similar to Culver City’s offense.  Both defenses run similar schemes.

Amat relies on strong armed quarterback Koa Haynes, who was 13 of 18 for 258 yards, one touchdown and two running touchdowns.  Running back Deanza Blue scored two touchdowns and had 160 all-purpose yards in last week’s game.

Earning its third straight victory after dropping the season opener to West Torrance, Culver City scored points on every possession and the defense set a record by allowing West Adams only 40 yards of total offense.  The Panthers stayed in their end of the field all game.  The Centaur starters sat out the entire second half.

Senior quarterback Xan Cuevas connected with sophomore receiver Stanley Norman on a 51-yard touchdown pass on the first play from scrimmage.  Norman scored again less than three minutes later on a 62-yard punt return.

Sophomore running back Donovan Davis carried the ball on all three plays that culminated with a two-yard touchdown run.  Just over two minutes later, the Centaur defense forced a fumble, and Cuevas soon hooked up with senior receiver Justin Montgomery on a 14-yard pass play for a 28-0 lead in the first quarter.

Sophomore Brandon Hasson made the most of his only carry as he broke tackles and scampered 38 yards into the end zone during the first minute of the second quarter.

Sophomore kicker Anthony Caiseros, who was perfect on extra points, provided the final points of the half with a 27-yard field goal as time expired for a comfortable 38-0 advantage.

Junior quarterback David Handler completed a 24-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Mark Conley midway through the third quarter.  He then found junior receiver Miles Jackson on a 9-yard pass for the game’s final points.

Handler completed five of seven pass attempts for 56 yards.  Cuevas was three for three in the air for 76 yards in the first half.

West Adams is coached by Centaur alumnus Napolean Banks, who last year coached Handler at Palisades High School.

“Typically Bishop Amat sells out with over 3,000 season seat ticket holders.  There will be an electric playoff-type atmosphere.  Come see an exciting brand of football,” said Centaur special team and quarterbacks coach Greg Goodyear.

Greg Dynabursky contributed to this article.