Junior Ret Tilman kicked a school record-setting 53-yard field goal last Friday in Culver City High’s 49-34 win against Beverly Hills and may get a few more opportunities this Friday against third-ranked Chaminade in the first round of the CIF Western Division playoffs.
Host Chaminade (9-1), known for confusing opponents with effective defensive sets, is expected to keep Culver City on its own end of the field for much of the night, forcing Tilman to punt or attempt long field goals.
The West Hills squad, sporting a new stadium with artificial turf, finished a strong second-place in its league, losing out to first-ranked Serra. Chaminade features two outstanding running backs, who each logged 1,000 yards this season.
"Chaminade pounds the ball and employs different offensive formations to confuse defenses. This is a very good team and we have to be sharp out there," said Centaur assistant coach Greg Goodyear.
Culver City entered last Friday’s football game with a playoff bid at stake. Defense was the key ingredient as Culver City came away with the 15-point victory and positioned themselves in a three-way tie for second place in the Ocean League. Culver City, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills each finished with a 3-2 league record (and 6-4 overall), but the Centaurs obtained the better placement with its win over the Normans and stronger contest against Inglewood.
The Centaurs and Normans have historically battled in hotly contested matches and this contest was no different. When the game started it appeared the two squads were headed for a back-and-forth offensive showdown. As fans were still arriving both teams had scored a touchdown, but then Culver’s defense got into the act.
Beverly Hills struck quickly after the opening kickoff as senior quarterback Josh Newman hooked up with junior receiver Cameron Countryman on a 78-yard bomb and a quick 7-0 advantage. Culver City responded just 16 seconds later as junior Kevin Porche connected with junior receiver Michael Horchin on a 63-yard touchdown pass. The point conversion failed and Culver trailed 7-6.
The Centaur defense and special teams took control for the next several minutes as they forced the Normans into several mistakes. Beverly Hills had the ball less than a minute when Culver City defensive back Anthony Luckett stepped in front of a Norman receiver for an interception. He picked up key blocks en route to a 34-yard touchdown run, giving the Centaurs the lead, 13-7, less than two minutes into the contest.
The special teams unit helped set up Culver City’s next score, recovering a fumble when the Normans mishandled a punt. Junior Ronald Jones located the loose football and provided the Centaurs excellent field position. Senior quarterback Jordan Arrington found junior receiver Alex Jackson just one play later on a 23-yard touchdown pass to increase the Centaurs’ advantage, 20-7.
Moments later, Culver City scored a deuce during a punting situation for Beverly Hills. The ball sailed over the punter’s head and went out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
The Centaur defense continued to apply pressure on Beverly Hills. Senior Ky Dorsey broke through the Normans line and blocked a second punt attempt. The ball was recovered by junior Darius Morrow at Beverly Hills’ nine-yard line. Porche found senior Ryan Mulvihill less than a minute later on a three-yard scoring pass and the Centaurs increased their lead, 29-7.
Centaur senior tailback Crae Taylor added a touchdown on a 16-yard run and Culver City had their largest advantage at 36-7. However, Beverly Hills fought to get back into the contest before halftime.
Senior fullback Jordan Alleyne was instrumental in the Normans two scores late in the second quarter. He found a seam through the middle and went 18 yards for a touchdown. Less than 10 seconds later, while Beverly Hills was on defense, Alleyne recovered a Culver City fumble and went another 18 yards to cut the deficit to 15.
Tilman gave fans an exceptional treat just prior to halftime. Known for converting long fields during practices and warm-ups, the kicker set a school record with a 53-yard field goal that hit the crossbar and continued past to give Culver City a 39-21 advantage as the teams headed for the locker room.
Beverly Hills looked to get back into the match immediately as the second half began. After forcing Culver City to punt, the Normans marched down the field and Newman connected with Countryman for the second time on a 19-yard touchdown pass. The point conversion failed and Beverly Hills trailed 39-27 midway through the third quarter.
The Centaurs diminished any possibility of a comeback as they added to the lead at the third and beginning of the fourth quarters. First, Tilman converted his second field goal from 32 yards, and then the defense set up another score on their ensuing possession. Senior defensive back Ijumaa Armstrong came away with an interception and returned it 50 yards to the Beverly Hills’ seven-yard line. One play later, Taylor scored his second touchdown and Culver City led 49-27.
The Normans added one final touchdown as Newman hooked up with Countryman a third time on a 10-yard pass. However, Beverly Hills could get no closer as the Centaur defense forced a change of possession on downs and forced a fourth turnover.
