The Culver City Centaurs will be looking to get back on the winning track this Friday when they host the tame Hawthorne Cougars at 7 p.m to open the Ocean League football season.
“Hawthorne has won only one game, but it is still a good football team,” said Culver City head coach Jahmal Wright. “We respect all of our opponents.”
The Centaurs (3-2) are coming off a 31-7 loss to 5-0-1 Bishop Amat Lancers last Friday.
Culver City committed five turnovers, which were three interceptions and two fumbles.
“We knew we were playing one of the top teams in Southern California,” said Wright. “When you play really good teams you cannot make mistakes. We will use this game as a learning experience and hopefully this will make us a better team in the future.”
After Hawthorne (1-4), this Friday, the Centaurs will be at Inglewood (3-2) on October 12, at home against Santa Monica (1-2) on October 19, travel to Morningside (3-2) on October 26 and play their final league game on November 2, when they host Beverly Hills (1-4).
“The Ocean League is very balanced this year so we will have to be ready to play every Friday night,” said Wright. “We need to take it one game at a time.”
On defense the Centaurs rely on the play of linebackers Winner Watts, Akili Skannal and 220-lb. Keishawn Haley. The defensive line is led by 6-2, 280 lb. Deon Young and Delwaun Beard. Young was All-State as a junior last year, and Beard leads the team in sacks. Stanley Norman and Sean Floyd are playing well in the defensive backfield for the Centaurs.
The offense is led by quarterback Xan Cuevas, running back Skannal, wide receiver Julius Wilson and a solid offensive line.
“Right now Julius is our big play guy on offense,” said Wright.
Special teams is in good hands with the play of sophomore kicker and punter Anthony Caiseros. Kickoffs and punt returns duties are handled by Wilson and Shannal.
