are getting in the rhythm
By Mike Cohen
It’s all about timing this summer for the Culver City High School varsity football aerial crew.
“We are breaking in a new receiving corps and quarterbackIt’s an ongoing process to work on rhythm and timing during these summer leagues,” said Centaur head football coach Jahmal Wright.
Senior quarterback David Handler has been working since May with the team’s talented receivers, according to Wright.
Handler threw three touchdown passes to the Culver City High School varsity football team’s only returning starter, Stanley Norman, but Claremont held on to win, 20-18, in the consolation bracket, July 20, of the Claremont Tournament to end Culver’s run in the annual summer event.
Junior Brandon Hasson caught four touchdown tosses from Handler in a 28-24 loss to Paloma Valley in the prior game, which dropped the Centaurs to the consolation division.
Culver City opened the tournament with a 22-6 loss to St. Francis, a team which plays in Culver City’s CIF conference.
Sophomore quarterback Xavier Ryan completed a touchdown pass to Norman in Culver’s 14-2 win over Elsinore in the second game of the pool. Junior Jericho Flowers and Ryan intercepted passes.
Dandre Smith and junior Reynard Saxon picked off passes in the Centaurs’ 22-12 win past Laguna in the final game of the pool.
Junior Steve Funches and Ryan quarterbacked for Culver City in its inaugural participation of the El Rancho Passing Tour in Pico Riva, July 13, while Handler was being mentored at the Peyton Manning quarterback camp in the nation’s South.
Palmdale upended Culver City, 28-21, with good performances by senior running back Tyler Haye and Norman in the first pool game.
Funches and Ryan each threw scoring passes to Hasson in a 24-3 win over Arcadia in the second pool contest. Norman and sophomore Marcus Moore had interceptions. Miles Jackson also scored for Culver City.
Trailing 16-6, Ryan threw scoring passes to Norman and Moore to upset Long Beach Wilson, 19-16, in the third game of the pool.
Down 16-9, senior Miles Washington caught two touchdown passes from Ryan to beat El Dorado, 25-16 in the championship round. Saxon made an interception.
Number one seed San Clemente connected on a 40-yard pass on the last play of the game to top Culver City, 32-31, in the semi-finals. Senior Remy Grundy had an interception. Junior Jericho Flowers, Norman and Hasson scored for Culver City.
Culver finished 3-2 in the Benita air assault passing tournament, July 13.
“We could have gone 5-0. We have the ability, but a few things did not go our way,” said assistant coach Greg Goodyear.
Culver City had wins against Walnut, 36-8, Arroyo, 42-10, and Anita, 32-30, and lost to Servite, 40-18 to reach the finals of the consolation bracket.
Hasson scored on a slant off a Handler pump fake for a 40 yard touchdown reception in the win over Anita.
Culver City lost in the consolation finals, 38-18, to Corona Santiago.
Other players contributing for the Centaurs in recent passing league tournaments are Donovan Davis, junior slot receiver Jason Grossman, junior running back Anthony Polk, senior Lonnie Walker, Ty Jason and junior Jerrett Anderson and senior Kevin Beacham.
“Brandon Hasson is doing well from his awesome track season. Stanley Norman is doing a great job getting ready for the season,” said Wright.
Jason Grossman, who ran track and has worked out in the weight room, has played well this summer, noted Wright.
“I am so proud of Jason. He is a hard worker and has put in a lot of time. He transformed his body to be a key role in the rotation,” said Wright.
Centaurs open their season, Sept. 7, against visiting West Torrance.
Centaur track renovation
Is back on schedule
By George Laase
Asphalt will cure for two more weeks on the newly paved Culver City High School track before the final half inch of tartan rubber track is poured.
There was a slight delay in laying the brick for the building at the north end that will house the ticket booth, snack bar and restroom, because of a question about the rebar reinforcement. The engineers resolved the issue, and the crews are back on schedule to complete the work by the first week in September.
The blades of filaments for the newly laid artificial turf are about three inches tall.
Recently removed bleacher planks and metal brackets are being recycled.
VIBRANT: Touchdown zone is a vibrant Centaur blue at the new Culver High Stadium. Goal line stripe is gold and white.
Photo by George Laase
BY THE NUMBERS: Yardage markers are being etched in the new artificial turf at the Culver City High School football field.
Photo by George Laase