The Culver City High School football team (4-0) employed its high-octane spread offense, showcasing talented players at key positions to dominate Leuzinger, 52-0, last Friday in Culver City.
The Centaurs, who scored on all but one possession in the first half last week, are expected to have a tougher task against city power Narbonne (2-2) at Culver City High this Friday at 7 p.m.
The Gauchos have battled for the city section title the last few years, reaching the finals in two of the previous three seasons. Culver City lost 42-22 to Narbonne when the two squads met last season.
Senior quarterback Lukas O’Connor had another outstanding performance as he threw for nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns in two-plus quarters against the Olympians. The Centaur defense stymied the Olympian offense with a bend-don’t-break mentality.
Leuzinger (0-4) was a Bay League power, but the Olympians are rebuilding and have yet to score in their first four games. Their offense relies primarily on their tailback and fullback, while their passing attack is virtually nonexistent.
Leuzinger was poised to jump out to an early lead when senior Devin Christy, the game’s leading rusher, rambled 70 yards on the second play from scrimmage before being stopped at the Centaur five-yard line. The Olympians, however, were unable to score, as the drive was stalled on a fourth down attempt.
Culver City took over and drove down the field deep into Olympian territory. Senior kicker Ret Tilman converted a 25-yard field goal to give the Centaurs an early 3-0 advantage. Following an interception by senior linebacker Khalil Pettway, O’Connor increased the lead moments later. He found senior receiver Jimmy Haywood streaking down the western sideline for a 30-yard touchdown pass.
The Centaur defense limited Leuzinger’s ground attack, continually forcing the Olympians into three-and-out punting situations.
Culver City gained excellent field position and scored on all three of its second quarter possessions.
Senior receiver Michael Horchin scored twice as he was on the receiving end from two quarterbacks. He made a catch on a five-yard pass from senior Kevin Porche to give the Centaurs a 17-0 advantage. After that Horchin caught a five-yard pass from O’Connor to give Culver City a 31-0 halftime lead.
Culver City continued the offensive outburst at the start of the second half. Junior tailback Akili Skannal took the opening kickoff and returned it 50 yards to the Leuzinger 25-yard line. O’Connor wasted little time as he connected with junior receiver Julius Wilson on a 22-yard touchdown pass.
An interception and 30-yard return by junior linebacker Keishawn Haley led to another Centaur score two minutes later, primarily by reserves, who played most of the second half.
Junior quarterback Gary Graves contributed to the final two scores of the game. He scored on a two-yard run following the Haley interception and hooked up with junior receiver Sydney Dorsey on a 29-yard pass early in the fourth quarter.
The improving Centaur defense was led by Pettway and Haley, who lead the team in tackles. Senior linebackers Derrius Morrow and Ronald Jones contributed mightily. Senior defensive backs Yamen Sanders, Anthony Luckett, Malik Deckard and Robert Moore kept Leuzinger receivers in check, as they did not allow a single pass completion.
Senior defensive linemen Anthony Tucker, Grant Coffey and Jonathan Jackson, along with junior Deon Young put constant pressure on the Olympian quarterback and were involved in two sacks and numerous tackles.
