CC travels to Santa Monica on Friday

CC travels to Santa Monica on Friday

By Steve Finley

Culver City varsity football team, fresh off a dominating 47-0 win over Hawthorne last Friday, will battle the Santa Monica High Vikings on Friday night at Santa Monica College. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The No. 1 ranked Division 11 Centaurs are 7-1 overall and 2-1 in the Ocean league. Santa Monica is 3-5 and 2-1, so this is an important game for the rival schools. Because both teams have the same league record, the winner of Friday’s game will move into sole possession of second place in the Ocean league behind 3-0 Lawndale.

“The Santa Monica game is going to be a big game for several reasons,” said Culver City head coach Jahmal Wright after their victory over Hawthorne. “The will be Santa Monica’s opportunity to make a push for the playoffs so they have a lot to play for and they have a very good quarterback so we will have to come ready to play on the road.”

Culver City has come ready to play seven out of eight weeks this season. Even with the loss of All-CIF receiver and defensive back Charles Ross the Centaurs continue to put up big numbers on offense and the defense is also playing outstanding football. “I am really happy about the way the defense has play and Cortez Wright had a great game against Hawthorne,” said Wright.

Everyone knew the Centaurs would score a lot of points this year, but the play of their defense is a pleasant surprise. “I like our defense,” said linebacker Nick Bradley last Friday night. The 5’10, 175-pound Bradley played running back last year. “We play fast and we fly around and make plays. I feel great about this team and we have a lot to play for.”

Bradley is another example of why the football program has been successful the last decade under the direction of Wright and his staff. Bradly, who is one of the fastest runners in the school was moved to linebacker because the Centaurs have a lot of good running backs and the coaching staff tries to get the best athletes on the field.  “The mark of a good head coach is to surround yourself with great assistant coaches and that’s what I try to do every year,” said Wright.