It’s time for Culver City High School boys’ football. The Centaurs kick off their varsity football season on Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. on the campus of Culver City High School inside the Jerry Chabola Football Stadium. Their opponent is San Jacinto High School, located 80 miles east of Culver City.
Although the schools are far apart, they played each other twice in the last few years. Last season the Centaurs beat the Tigers 72-63 in one of the highest scoring games in Culver City football history. “Even though we are far apart we know each other pretty well,” said long time Culver City head coach Jahmal Wright last week.
San Jacinto finished the 2023 season with an 7-5 overall record, and they were 4-1 in league play. The Centaurs finished their season last year with a record of 9-4 and they were also 4-1 in league play. “We understand that Jacinto is a well-coached football team,” said Wright. “They have a lot of returning starters and they are a very athletic and dangerous team, so we are anticipating a tough, hard-fought game but we just want to execute our responsibilities and just be sharp. Our team is excited. We have been working hard. We have big dreams, big goals and big aspirations.
“We definitely want to start the season off on the right foot and we understand that San Jacinto is a formidable opponent that is not going to make it easy for us,” said Wright.
Hopefully this year Culver City’s defense can keep the Tigers from lighting up the score board like they did last year. The 2024 defense is looking good according to coach Wright. They are led by returning starters Darryl Davis III, Dae’lon Moutra, Jonas Ross and Mario Reyes up front and Braylon Singleton and Myles Singleton in the defensive backfield.
“That returning group has really been vocal leaders in the spring and summer,” said Wright. “They are really communicating with the other players. We are really excited about the leadership on the defensive side of the ball.”
On the defensive line Wright is looking for big things from Ross, Reyes, Damarion Boyd and Ricardo Leon Trujillo. The linebackers are led by Davis III, Moutra, Jordan Njoku, Amesh Khattri and Tyler Handford. Wright had this to say about Njoku. “He is really showing his athleticism and his strength. He is really doing a great job and so is Handford.”
In the defensive secondary Wright is hoping three-year varsity starters Braylon and Myles Singleton can provide the play and leadership that they have displayed the last few years. “Our defensive backfield is looking pretty solid,” said Wright. “With the addition of the Singleton brothers we have Derrick Huezo, Drew Glymph, Caden Kim, Marcelo Cardenas, Evan Powell and Jesse Gramajo.”
On special teams the Centaurs will rely on many capable return specialists led by the Singleton brothers. The kicking teams will be led by punter Hudson King and place kicker Nathan Garcia.
The 2024 offense should be one of the most explosive units in Southern California. If this group expects to live up to its full potential the offensive line must perform at a high level to protect the quarterbacks and open holes for the running backs.
The offensive line will be led by center Chris Baxter and linemen Reyes, Leon Trujillo, Kem Anuluoha and Ross. “We are excited how well they are coming together as a unit,” Wright said.
One of the main reasons the offense is so explosive is the wide receivers. This group will rely on the Singleton brothers, Justin Hoang, Harley Moore, Zytel Boyd, William Fourte and brother Mark Fourte and several other key players.
The running backs will be led by Langston Wilson, Kamryn Robinson and Chyler Paton and the quarterback duties will be handled by senior Seth Shigg and sophomore Nicholas Hoang, brother of wide receiver Justin Hoang.
Putting the pieces to the football puzzle together is the coaching staff. “We have an awesome coaching staff that is really locked in,” said Wright. “They are extremely knowledgeable, and they are getting the most out of our student athletes.”
If the Centaurs can stay healthy, they will be able to continue the tradition of playing winning football. “A long time ago coach (Cornell) Myles started a tradition in the early 1990s that instilled pride and staying humble into the players,” said Wright. “We try to create a brotherhood and family atmosphere. That keeps us together during the good times and bad times.”
