The Culver City High School football team will hit the road again on Friday, Oct. 9, when they face West Torrance after beating El Segundo away from home last Friday 63-41 in their first Pioneer League game of the season. Kick off is set for 7 p.m. It’s another important Pioneer League game that will ultimately determine seeding for the CIF playoffs next month.
The Centaurs go into the game against the Warriors with a 3-3 overall record and a 1-0 league record. West Torrance is 5-1 overall and 1-0 in league play. “West Torrance is a quality team, and the coach has done a great job,” said Culver City head coach Jahmal Wright after their win over El Segundo. “They are riding high right now and they are going to be ready for us. We have to sure up some things on defense, but we are excited for the challenge.”
Both teams are led by their outstanding quarterbacks. Culver City’s signal caller Nicholas Hoang has thrown for 2,180 yards and 25 touchdowns while West Torrance’s quarterback Dominic Golia has thrown for 1,738 yards and 24 touchdowns. The biggest difference between the two senior quarterbacks is Hoang has run the ball for 342 yards and three touchdowns and Golia has 82 rushing yards. Hoang’s legs may be the key factor that will help the Centaurs win the game.
The game may be a shootout like the El Segundo game when Culver City scored on their first seven possessions. “I am glad we won the game tonight,” said Culver City longtime assistant coach Cornell Myles. “We needed the win because we are in a different league this year, so the first win in the Pioneer league is special.” Culver City played in the Bay League last season.
Myles continued to talk about beating El Segundo last Friday. “Now we need to tighten up our defense, especially the secondary. We also need to keep everybody healthy, then I think we will be alright. The defense is going to have go through trials and tribulations until they can figure out what the coaches are telling them. We have to practice hard. If we practice hard, we will have confidence going into each game, then we will be ready to go and that will take us to the promise land.”
The player that can help take them to the promise land is quarterback Hoang. He is having a fantastic season. “It feels great,” said Hoang after the El Segundo win. “Last year we had a record of 4-6, so I came into this season with a chip on my shoulder. I want to be great, and my teammates help me out with that.”
A running quarterback always puts the coaches in a nervous state of mind, but Hoang appears to have that situation under control. “When I run, I try to slide to avoid taking a hit but if I need to, I can take the hit.” Part of that philosophy comes from his family support group. His father was a tough high school football player and coach. “My parents are a really good support system for me and my dad makes sure I eat right and train right.”
The surprise player of the year for the Centaurs is running back Alozie Atkins. After playing football for only four years, he is just what the Centaurs need. A tough downhill runner who is very humble. He has rushed for 246 yards on 31 carries and is averaging 7.9 yards per carry. “Honestly it feels good, but when Jamil (Lewis) got hurt tonight I felt like I needed to step up.”
Atkins just wants to help his team win. “We need to execute on both sides of the ball and keep our heads up. This is really all I wanted to do. Help the team. It feels good to be out here and it feels good to win,” he said after the El Segundo game.
