By Mike Cohen
Returning eight starters on defense but only three on offense, the drive for five straight league titles may be an elusive goal for the Culver City High School football team, but the preseason pollsters have faith, ranking the Centaurs seventh-best in the entire CIF Southern Section Western Conference.
Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and Inglewood stand in the way of accomplishing this unprecedented feat in Centaur history, but Centaur alumnus and head Coach Jahmal Wright expresses confidence.
“We’re fast and talented like we’ve been in the past. However, we lack experience at our skill positions, but we’ll be fine,” said Wright.
Culver City won four league titles in a row from 1991-1994.
The Centaurs take to the road in four of their first five games, starting Friday, 7 p.m., at West Torrance in the season opener. Culver City meets visiting Peninsula next Friday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m., for the home opener. The Centaurs travel the next three weeks to Redondo, Crenshaw and Narbonne.
The Centaurs will miss Ocean League MVP quarterback Marquel Carter, but the defense may carry Culver City to the top of the Ocean League.
“I think it’s going to be the strength of the team because of the eight veteran starters and their good senior leadership,” said Wright, pointing specifically to the deep and experienced secondary.
Senior cornerback and Division-1 prospect Chris Brown is getting college scouts’ attention, according to Centaur assistant coach Greg Goodyear.
“Chris is an outstanding shutdown cover corner and in general I’m very excited about the talent, depth and experience of our defensive backs,” said Wright.
Ijumaa Armstrong, who led the team in interceptions as a junior, is also a university prospect.
Ky Dorsey is the leader of the talented secondary, according to Wright.
Junior defensive backs Miles Washington, Maalik Deckard and Bruce Crowder will compete for spots in the secondary. Wright says contributions from Yamen Sanders and Robert Moore will also shore up the defensive backfield.
“The secondary have dedicated themselves to becoming a hard-hitting group and will be tough to run and throw on,” Goodyear said.
Wright calls the defensive line the heart of the defense because of senior leadership, depth and experience. He expects Billy Sanchez to be an all-league and all-CIF player.
Seniors Leo Zambrano, Christian De Leon and Michael Ordon compose the rest of the strong line. Others who will see action, according to Wright, will be experienced junior Jonathan Jackson, sophomore Deon Young, and juniors Joel Ward, Matt Feliciano and Kayon Warren.
The linebacking crew is led by junior Khalil Pettway, who started last year as a sophomore. At 6-foot-3 and-a-half inches and 200 pounds, Pettway has gained Division-1 notice.
Wright’s concern about filling the role of injured senior linebacker Ryan Mulvihill was assuaged when senior José Escoto stepped in admirably, noted Goodyear. Also seeing action in the linebacking crew will be juniors Derrius Morrow, Stacy Sanker, Grant Coffey, Anthony Tucker and R.J. Jones.
The defensive line will start five seniors, four of whom started last season.
Last year the Centaurs averaged over 40 points a game.
Wright may have found two solid quarterbacks in Jordan Arrington and Lukas O’Connor for the spread offense, said Goodyear.
“Arrington has a rocket left arm and the athletic ability to play quarterback. We need him to show leadership skills. Luke has shown talent and ability to run our offense. I feel we’re in good hands with whoever plays,” said Wright.
Culver City may have the best offensive line in the Ocean League, according to Wright.
Three-year varsity starter Leo Zambrano is the focal point of the line. He was an all-Ocean League player last year. The left guard is Christian De Leon, who has quick feet and is a solid blocker. Right Guard Sean Cogman is solid and tough, according to Goodyear. The left tackle is Billy Sanchez, who is one of the best athletes on the team and is its strongest player. Senior right tackle Michael Ordon, who’s only been playing football since he was a junior, has improved dramatically and is also a strong athlete.
“We have good senior leadership and experience that will solidify our offense,” said Wright.
Other junior players who will contribute are Mitchell Westover, Michael Candler, David Paniagua, Jon Kocker, James Rodriquez, Eduardo Benevidez and senior Linford Dawson.
Wright is excited about the depth and talent at running back and feels it’s a very strong group even though it’s somewhat inexperienced.
Senior speedster Crae Taylor, who was injured last season, senior Marquise Smothers and juniors Zakee Johnson and Kavan Buggs are all competing for the coveted tailback role.
Last year the Centaurs had four senior starters at receiver and were one of the best crews in the Southern Section.
The inexperience does not disquiet Wright.
“Our receiving core is full of talent and I’m anxious to see the progress it will make,” said Wright.
Last year’s sophomore sensation, track star Alex Jackson, will start at one wide receiver position. He will be recruited by top college programs with his 4.4 [40-yard dash] speed, noted Wright.
In the summer passing league, juniors Michael Horchin, Jimmy Heywood, Reggie House, Kevin Porche and Shawn Davis showed they can shine as Centaur receivers. Seniors who will be battling to make receptions will be Duncan Ashley, Leon Gibson and Rashawn Walker.
Juniors will lead the kicking game. Punter Grant Coffey is strong and has a leg-up on newcomer Ret Tillman. Tillman is a natural kicker and will handle the kickoff duties. Jorge Perez, who kicked extra points part-time on the varsity last year, is in a battle with Tillman to handle the point-after-touchdown and field goal duties.
