Sports banquets are held to celebrate the past season. Whether the season was good or bad, everyone gets together to give each other a pat on the back. Culver City’s 2019 football banquet was special because the football program tried to acknowledge everyone who had a part in making the season a success.
“I thought it turn out nice,” said head coach Jahmal Wright. “We took time and acknowledged everybody that helped us have a successful season. A banquet is a celebration, so we wanted to acknowledge everybody who had a part in our season.” Culver City finished the season at 12-1 and made it to the CIF semifinals. They were also Ocean League champions.
Banquets are also an opportunity to get together one final time. “The main message we want to get across is this is the last time the team will be in the room together,” Wright said. “We want to have fun and we want it to be a memorable experience for everyone.”
The highlight of the evening was having two players win the Most Valuable Player award. Junior quarterback Zevi Eckhaus and senior receiver Chris Miller both had outstanding seasons. Eckhaus threw for 4,474 yards and 59 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. Miller caught 81 passes for 1,521 yards and 24 touchdowns. Those numbers are incredible at any level. Miller was also a force on defense as a defensive back.
The good thing for Culver City football is Eckhaus will be returning for his senior year. “The ultimate goal is to win a championship,” said Eckhaus last Monday night. “With that being said, we are in December. Right now, we are putting in the work, and that’s working on the weekends and throughout the week. We are working in the weight room, putting in the work on the track and trying to become better athletes and better football players.”
Some of the football players will be playing other sports in 2020, and one of them is one of the best baseball players in the school, Tanner Duve. Tanner was an outstanding receiver and he plays center field for the baseball team.
“I try to bring the same winning attitude to the baseball team from the football team,” said Duve who has a brother who played on the freshman football team this year. “A lot of the physical conditioning, strength-wise and speed wise I get from football helps me in baseball. I always start off a little rusty in baseball but I just keep working.”
Based on the feeling at the banquet, the Centaurs will be hungry again next season. “Our only focus is to bring a championship to this school,” said Eckhaus. “We want to win one more championship before we get out of here. That’s our main focus.” Culver City won the CIF championship last season.