Few Centaur players and coaches believed the rematch of Ocean League champions, featuring last season’s winner, Inglewood, against the previous year’s champ, Culver City, could ever eclipse the drama of the Sentinels’ triple-overtime 66-60 victory last season.
It didn’t. It wasn’t even close.
Centaur quarterback Lukas O’Connor completed 28 of 47 passes for 251 yards and his counterpart Derrick Woods connected on only five of 11 passes for 64 yards, but the score portrayed an entirely different perspective, as the 2-5 Sentinels upended the Centaurs, 30-10, Friday night at Coleman Stadium.
The Centaurs and their junior quarterback, who tossed five interceptions, had one of their worst performances in recent memory, squandering scoring opportunities with turnovers and penalties.
The Centaurs look to change their fortunes when they visit Hawthorne, Friday at 7 p.m. The two squads are among four teams that are tied for second place in the Ocean League, with 1-1 marks.
Expectations were high as the Centaurs looked to avenge last season’s thriller. Unfortunately, their offense struggled throughout the contest, with seven turnovers and penalties at inopportune times.
The Centaur defense kept the team within striking distance of Inglewood. The unit limited the Sentinels on the ground and in the air, allowing only three plays of more than 10 yards.
Culver City (1-1, 5-2) had trouble immediately following the opening kickoff. Junior Julius Wilson took a reception inside the five-yard line, but fumbled as he was hit near the 25-yard line. Despite excellent field position, Inglewood was stalled by the Centaur defense and settled for a 40-yard field goal and a quick 3-0 advantage.
The Centaurs looked to take the lead as they drove down the field on their ensuing possession. O’Connor led the offense deep into Inglewood territory but was intercepted in the end zone. It would be the first of four consecutive interceptions on successive series.
The Sentinels added to their lead following O’Connor’s second interception. Woods returned the ball 40 yards to the Culver City 27-yard line. Moments later, tailback Jaylenn Hart scored on a five-yard run, providing a 10-0 lead.
Although Culver City had five first-half turnovers, it closed the gap near the end of the half. O’Connor completed eight straight pass attempts, which culminated in a 19-yard touchdown to senior receiver Michael Horchin, who made a leaping catch and held onto the ball despite being flipped backward by an Inglewood defender. The scoring play cut the deficit to three points, 10-7, at halftime.
Inglewood increased its advantage midway through the third quarter. Woods, the game’s leading rusher, found running room along the western sideline before cutting across the field on a 75-yard jaunt, for a 17-7 lead. Following a Centaur fumble, the Sentinels increased their advantage as Woods scored on a one-yard run to make the score 23-7 late in the third quarter.
Centaur senior Ret Tilman converted a 47-yard field goal late in the third quarter to get the Centaurs within two possessions, 23-10. Culver City would get no closer, as O’Connor’s fifth interception led to the final Sentinel touchdown.
Culver City committed several penalties that stalled drives by forcing long third down attempts. Despite gaining only 200 yards of total offense, Inglewood (1-1, 2-5) took advantage of Centaur miscues that resulted in 23 points.
For Culver City, Akili Skannal had 12 rushes for 72 yards. Horchin caught seven passes for 90 yards. Kevin Porche had nine receptions for 61 yards.