Culver City Observer -

By Fred Altieri

Observer Reporter

The Culver City High 2014 varsity football team customarily began another year with a very tough pre-league season schedule. Last year was a prime example of this forging process that has served the Centaurs well during the past five years culminating with a 5-0 record and the 2013 Ocean League Championship.

Last Friday the Centaurs took a short excursion south to the ‘friendly’ confines of West high school in Torrance to take on the CIF Southern Section division’s top-seeded Warriors in the season’s opening game. Culver City landed the first punch for a 6-0 first quarter lead. The Warriors shook off the blow and responded by reeling off 30 unanswered points by the end of the quarter. The final score read: West 51, Culver City 13.

Centaur running back Donovan Davis silenced the home crowd with an explosive 86-yard touchdown run on the game’s first play from scrimmage down the left sideline.

Head coach Jahmal Wright on Davis: “Donovan’s first touchdown run was an inside running play. We were able to fire off and get some good blocks. He hit the seam and ran down the field like we know that he can.

“Donovan is an explosive player and our goal is to give him the ball in positions where he can be successful and be a big playmaker for us.”

30 seconds later West High took a 7-6 lead on a similar long run to the eastern end zone. Culver was forced to punt deep in its own territory on the next series of plays. Unfortunately a bad snap from center resulted in a safety and a 9-6 Warrior Lead. West High proceeded to march down the field for to lead 16-6.

The Centaurs threw an interception and also misplayed a Warrior punt that would have given Culver excellent field position with the game still up for grabs. The Warriors seized the opportunity and grabbed a 30-7 seemingly insurmountable lead.

Coach Wright was straight: “West Torrance just capitalized on our mistakes. Once we got some stops on defense we made them punt and the ball hit one of our men and they were able to get the ball and score again. West Torrance is the number one team in the division right now. When we play a very good team we have to find a way to not turn the ball over to give them the short field positions and an easier chance to get into the end zone.”

The Centaurs moved the ball in the second quarter into enemy territory on a brilliant one-handed 43-yard catch by Davis from starting quarterback Xavier Ryan near midfield. But the Warrior defense stiffened up to deny Culver from coming within striking distance.

After West scored again with 7:19 to go in the first half the Centaurs retaliated immediately with another long-running touchdown from Davis 30 seconds later, this time along the right sideline. Kicker Tony Caiseros added the extra point, cutting the lead to 37-13 before halftime.

Coach Wright saw no quit in his team despite the Warriors initial onslaught: “We were able to get some stops with our defense. Definitely we were optimistic. It was a very long first half so we thought that if we could get some positive plays going we could turn the tide.”

The second half saw the Centaurs defense continue its improved play as they held the high-powered Warriors to a touchdown in each of the last two quarters. Leading the defense was Fred Wadibia, who had eight total tackles. Strong support came from three teammates who had six tackles each: Ulysses Santiago, Jerrett Anderson and Evan Tillman. Solid contributions with five tackles each came from: Justin Manyweather, Jeremy Marrero, Marques Montgomery and Anthony Polk. Montgomery also recorded the Centaurs lone quarterback sack.

On offense Davis led the way with two touchdowns and six carries for 162 yards even though he only played the first half. Coach Wright explained: “It was unfortunate that he had a leg injury. He only played a quarter and a half. We on the coaching staff made a judgement call to hold him out and error on the side of caution.”

Anthony Polk added 53 yards on 14 carries while Fred Poindexter ran for 56 yards on 11 carries.

Wright is intent on using his entire offense as Culver moves forward: “We made a concerted effort to get the ball to our running backs. Justin Manyweather is a good part of our offense as well. Our next goal is to give Evan Tillman and Manyweather more balls in the offense and that will come with time, experience, rhythm and learning in a game-type atmosphere.

“It was Xavier Ryan’s first outing on the varsity level. We saw some good things and some things we’re going to improve upon. We just need to cut down on the turnovers and make some smart decisions with the football. He’ll be fine.

“It was a good opening game and a good test for us. We’ll be a better team in the long run playing against a team like West Torrance. We watched the film and we’ve made our adjustments. We’re going to work out our kinks and we’ll be ready to go for the rest of the season. I think we’ll be fine.”