Working on ways to stymie
the West Torrance offense
right from the first snap in Friday’s
season opener, the Centaur
linebackers and defensive
linemen are a hard-working
and blue collar group that will
be able to stop the run and
pressure the quarterback early,
said assistant Culver City High
School football coach Greg
Goodyear.
“What we lack in experience,
we will make up with talent,
technique, and hard-nosed
defensive football,” Centaur
Coach Jahmal Wright said.
The Centaurs return three
defensive starters, including
junior defensive tackle Fred
Wadibia who was the best
defensive lineman on last year’s
junior varsity team.
“Fred has worked hard
in the weight room to put on
muscle to be our anchor on the
defensive line,” Wright said.
“I’m excited about his athleticism
and quickness.”
The nose tackle position will
be manned by a two-headed
monster: Marco Cardenas, who
stands at 6’1,” 280 pounds and
senior Steven Serrano, 5’11,”
240 pounds, and who is one of
the strongest players on the
team. These two defensive linemen
have big shoes to fill after
three-year starting nose tackle
Deon Young graduated. Also
sharing in the defensive tackle
position’s responsibilities will
be senior Ehecath Soriano and
junior Alfredo Mendoza. Adding
depth to the defensive line
will be Jose Solorario.
Senior Remy Grundy will
make the transition from
outside linebacker to inside
linebacker.
“The defense is depending
on Remy a0s a vocal leader
because of the experience he
gained as a junior,” said Wright.
For the inside linebacker
position there’s a battle
between two talented juniors
in Anthony Polk and Ty-Jason
Roberts. At weak outside linebacker
there’s a war between
senior D’andre Smith and
junior Jeremy Marrero. The
strong outside linebackers will
be junior Ulysses Santiago and
senior Tyler Haye.
“With our two returning
starting cornerbacks, I believe
our secondary will be the
dominant force this season,”
said Wright of senior Kevin
Beacham and junior Stanley
Norman.
Norman is a returning All-
League, All-CIF and was a first
team All-State selection as a
sophomore.
“With Stanley going into his
second year in our defensive
scheme, we will depend on him
to continuously make big plays
for us and shut down his half of
the field,” Wright said.
