Seeking to avenge its first season
opening loss since 2003, Culver
City High School will greet the
West Torrance Warriors, Friday
(Sept. 6) at7 p.m. at the new Centaur
Stadium following last year’s
numbing 30-25 setback at West
Torrance High School.
Grand opening ceremonies for
the new stadium with parades,
presentations, salute to athletes
and Culver City notables begin at
5:30 p.m.
“We’re excited to open the season
versus a formidable opponent
in a playoff atmosphere,” Centaur
Coach Jahmal Wright said. I have
a lot of respect for West coach
Greg Holt, and he will have his
team ready.”
“West is well coached, disciplined,
experienced, tough, and
hard-nosed,” said Wright.
Prone to slow starts last season,
the Centaurs trailed 14-0 in
the first quarter and 24-13 entering
the fourth quarter in last year’s
opener against the Warriors.
Culver City took the lead 25-24
following an 80-yard punt return
for a touchdown by Julius Wilson
and a 59-yard scoring drive with
3:05 remaining. Three plays later
the Warriors scored the go-ahead
touchdown after a long kickoff
return to win the game.
West Torrance went on to
reach the CIF finals.
Although West lost several of
its star players, the Warriors have
a strong contingent of outstanding
seniors coming back, prompting
West coach Greg Holt, who enters
his 20th season, to consider “This
is one of the better West teams
I’ve had.”
New senior quarterback Zach
Heeger, shifty junior running back
Brett Ojiyi, tall receivers Dane Silverlake
and Division 1 prospect
Craig Knaus will have big seasons,
said the West coaches.
The Warriors boast two big
athletic linemen with the potential
to be dominant in Ray Lima, 6’3,”
250 pounds and J.J. Allen who
stands at 6’3,” 250 pounds.
Reacting to his squad’s sluggish
play early in games last year,
Wright said, “Our plan this year
is to have success early and call
plays that we’re comfortable with
to develop an early rhythm.”
The new turf field and large
contingent of Centaur fans in the
season opener will inspire the
Centaurs’ defense.
“Many of our passing leagues
this summer were played on artificial
turf,” Wright said. “We prefer
turf, because we have a lot
of speed and it accentuates the
speeds.”
Fox Sports West (foxsportswest.
com) will broadcast the
game live on Prep Zone, and
archived on the internet.
Norman is a returning All-
League, All-CIF and was a first
team All-State selection as a
sophomore.
“With Stanley going into his
second year in our defensive
scheme, we will depend on him to
continuously make big plays for
us and shut down his half of the
field,” Wright said.