Eagles soar past Centaurs to win Western crown

       Recognized locally for its academic and athletic program, Culver City High School altered that parochial observation when the varsity football team made its Cinderella run the past several weeks through the CIF playoffs.

      As an at-large team and the only Westside school remaining in the postseason tournament, the Centaurs garnered plenty of regional publicity during the past week and were featured on a local morning news show. Unfortunately, the clock struck midnight as the Centaurs were defeated at Arroyo Grande High School, 42-14, for the Western Division Championship.

      After losing the championship match to Serra last year, the Arroyo Grande Eagles rebounded and had an excellent 2011 campaign. They lost their opening contest to Lompoc and then won 12 straight, which gave them the Pac-7 title and allowed them to make their second consecutive final.

      As a finals host for the first time, the Eagles employed a strong run game, amassing 304 yards on the ground, to pull away in the second half and capture the Western Division title.

      For the Centaurs, Kevin Porche rushed 15 times for 71 yards in the wildcat formation, while running backs Akili Skannal and Ronald Jones combined for seven runs and a single yard for Culver City.

      An estimated crowd of about 4,000 braved temperatures in the mid-40s as the two teams battled back and forth throughout the first half.

      Arroyo Grande took the opening drive and received a fortunate bounce to open the scoring. Running back Henry Adelman fumbled near the Centaur three-yard line and the ball went into the end zone, where tight end Grant Alton happened to be standing. He fell on the loose football and the Eagles grabbed an early seven-point lead.

      Culver City answered late in the first quarter when quarterback Lukas O’Connor found a seam and scored on a five-yard run. He completed four of five pass attempts for 45 yards on the drive. Ret Tilman provided the extra point to tie the contest at seven.

      The Eagles struck back immediately with a sustained series, using a balanced running and passing attack. The drive culminated on a one-yard run by Adelman.

      The Centaurs quickly responded with a two-yard touchdown run by utility player Porche to make it 14-14. It would be the last time that Culver City scored.

      Arroyo Grande, which did not turn the ball over, regained the advantage late in the half when quarterback Brent Vanderveen found speedy receiver Garrett Owens on a 76-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles led 21-14 as the squads exited the field for their locker rooms.

      The Eagles’ defense took control in the second half, and did not allow Culver City beyond midfield until late in the final quarter.

      The Arroyo Grande offense began finding seams in the Centaur defensive line and scored three quick touchdowns to put the game out of reach.

      Leading rusher Gabe Deleon, who was restricted to 11 yards in the first half, burst through openings and used his speed for three consecutive scores in just over six minutes of game time.

      His first two touchdowns came near the end of the third quarter, courtesy of a 22-yard run that was immediately followed by a 58-yard score. Deleon diminished any hope of a Centaur comeback when he added the third touchdown on a 16-yard run.

            O’Connor completed 24 of 39 attempts for 257 yards and two interceptions.  Porche connected on five of nine passes for 37 yards.

      On the receiving end were Alex Jackson (six receptions, 64 yards), Julius Wilson (10 catches for 87 yards), Jimmy Haywood (four catches for 41 yards), Michael Horchin (four catches for 59 yards).

       The team will lose numerous players to graduation but have key personnel returning, as well as prospects from the junior varsity and freshman squads. The squad was acknowledged by the Culver City City Council last week.