Culver City to host Morningside in homecoming league opener
Confident after stockpiling four consecutive wins to open the season, the Centaurs were humbled in a 49-23 homeloss to city power Narbonne last Friday, and prepare this week for the league opener against visiting Morningside.
Though the team is completing a four-game homestand, it is Culver City High’s homecoming game and will be held Friday at 7 p.m.
The Narbonne Gauchos contended for a city title the last few years and showed why they are considered a leading favorite this season. They controlled much of the contest, employing a quick, no-huddle offense that kept the Centaurs off balance. Once the Gauchos completed a play, it was only a matter of seconds before the ball was snapped again.
Junior quarterback Troy Williams led the team with an aerial and ground attack that put his talents on display. He completed nearly 80% of his pass attempts and had four touchdowns, along with a rushing score. He has already received multiple offers from NCAA Division I schools.
In the first half, the Gauchos scored on three consecutive possessions while their defense shut down the Centaurs.
Williams, who threw for more than 350 yards, had a hand in each scoring play. First, he connected with senior receiver Antoine Anderson on a 10-yard touchdown pass and then scored the two-point conversion following a Centaur penalty. On their ensuing possession, Williams led his offense on a 98-yard drive that culminated in a 20-yard touchdown pass to junior receiver A. J. Richardson. Williams then added a one-yard scoring run early in the second quarter for a 22-0 advantage.
Culver City relied on its passing game, as it struggled with its ground assault, rushing for only 25 yards. The Centaurs amassed 321 yards through the air.
The Centaurs were unable to convert three scoring opportunities in the first half. Senior Ret Tilman hooked a 51-yard field goal attempt wide left on Culver City’s first series. The Centaurs drove into Narbonne territory midway through the second quarter but a fumble at the 25-yard line after a reception squandered the chance. In the final moments of the second quarter, their final attempt failed when they were unable to convert a fourth down at the Gaucho 20-yard line.
The Centaurs scored 10 points on their first two possessions in the second half, beginning with Tilman’s 30-yard field goal to make the score 22-3. Senior quarterback Lukas O’Connor then led the offense on a 91-yard drive before hooking up with senior receiver Jimmy Haywood on a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it a 12-point game.
Culver City appeared headed for another potential score when O’Connor was intercepted near midfield.
Narbonne wasted little time as senior tailback Tray Boone found a hole down the middle of his offensive line and rambled 28 yards for the score on the final play of the third quarter.
The Centaurs responded just over two minutes later when junior receiver Julius Wilson scored on a five-yard end around run. The two-point conversion failed, but Culver City again trailed by a dozen points, 28-16.
Fans were encouraged by the prospect of a potential comeback and became more enthused when an onside kick by Culver City was successful. Unfortunately, O’Connor was intercepted just two plays later.
Narbonne converted the turnover into points moments later when Williams found Anderson a second time on a nine-yard touchdown pass. Following a Centaur punt, the Gauchos added another score when Williams connected with Richardson on a 58-yard bomb to increase their lead to 42-16 and put the game out of reach.
Senior Alex Jackson returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown with just over five minutes remaining. Culver City attempted a second onside kick, but Narbonne recovered and added one final score.
Akili Skannal rushed eight times for 28 yards for Culver City. Julius Wilson made 11 receptions for 104 yards. Jackson caught eight passes for 87 yards. Kevin Porche connected on all three of his pass attempts for 38 yards.
