By Mike Cohen
Credit Athletic Director Jerry Chabola and Head Coach Jahmal White for devising a schedule to give the Culver City High School football team two weeks to work out the kinks.
That's all the time the Centaurs get because after hosting lightly regarded Peninsula Friday at 7 p.m., they go on the road to play three consecutive formidable opponents in Redondo, Crenshaw and Narbonne.
White ought to be able to give his second- and third-string players a good look against Peninsula, which was beaten last Friday 41-0 by North Torrance. Culver City topped the Panthers, 42-24, last year, after leading 42-7 in the fourth quarter.
"They have a pretty good running game," said Centaur assistant coach Greg Goodyear, looking for a Peninsula asset to motivate the favored Centaurs to play with intensity.
Leading 28-0 in the fourth quarter, Culver High controlled West Torrance on the road last Friday in the season-opening 28-14 win.
"The defense looked good with solid play from the lines on both sides of the ball. Our defense was flying all over the place. Our offense was a bit erratic," said Goodyear, summing up the contest.
Junior running back Zakee Johnson ran well but sustained an elbow separation late in the game and may not play Friday, according to Goodyear.
Division 1 university prospects Ijumaa Armstrong and Ky Dorsey, along with Khalis Pettway, had big hits from behind the defensive line, Goodyear pointed out.
The defensive backfield held West Torrance to only six pass receptions out of 21 attempts.
The offensive line, led by Billy Sanchez at left tackle, blocked well. Michael Ordon, Sean Cogman, Christian DeLeon and all-Ocean League snapper Leo Zambrano fortify the offensive line.
"Our special teams are in good hands," said Goodyear after seeing Jorge Perez knock through all three of his extra-point tries and Ret Tilman converted on his one attempt.
Grant Coffey punted well. "Grant did a real good job with good hang time, and high and deep punts," said Goodyear.
Centaur quarterback Lukas O'Conner completed 13 of 25 passes for 80 yards and two interceptions. "Lukas is working on mechanics and will improve game by game," said Goodyear.
Versatile runner, passer and receiver Kevin Porche starred for Culver City in the "wildcat" formation, participating in touchdowns by a run, catch and pass to add another dimension to the Centaur offense.
"We moved Kevin to slot receiver, because he possesses quickness and has the best hands on the team," Goodyear said of the former freshman quarterback.
Porche tossed a screen pass to speedy junior Alex Jackson on the second play of game and Jackson weaved through the West Torrance secondary for the game's opening touchdown.
Jackson caught seven passes for 131 yards.
Porche caught a pass from O'Conner in the end zone for a 14-0 lead on Culver's second series in a five-play drive.
With 37 seconds left in the first half, Porche ran 15 yards to score, making it 21-0.
O'Conner threw an 11-yard scoring pass to Jackson, to go up 28-0, in the third quarter.
R.J. Jones and Miles Washington recovered West Torrance fumbles.
