Head Coach Jahmal Wright is very excited about this year's Culver City High's defensive unit. The defense is lead by a plethora of fast, speedy athletes in the secondary, as well as some athletic newcomers on the defensive line. It seems like the linebackers will develop into a cohesive group blending returning players with some athletic newcomers.

DEFENSIVE LINE:

Jr. Justin Berry (6'2 215) will be a first time starter on defense but got honorable mention from the coaches as a sophomore OL. He is a hard worker who excels in the classroom and on the field. Nose Tackle, Jr. Jayden Porter (5'9 255) is Culver City's strongest DL. He was a two-way player as a sophomore and will anchor our D-line.

Strong Defensive Tackle Jr. Nathan Stennett (5'11 210) and first year player sophomore Roman Hayden (5'11 215) are big and strong with athletic ability that follows in the line of good Centaur defensive lineman. Others who will see action will be Diego Badillo and promising Soph. Amir Hodge.

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LINEBACKERS:

Returning OLB Sr. Elijah Zavala (5'9 175) was a second team All-Ocean League performer last season. He has two years of varsity experience and is one of our leaders on defense. Jr. Aaron Carey (5'10 190) was the top J.V. linebacker last year.

Agustus Frasier, Jr. (5'11 195) is a hard worker who excels in class, on the field and also does well in track. The Cents will depend on him at the anchor position. Sr. Diego Lopez, (5'9 180) started all 11 games as a junior. He is knowledgeable and experienced and will help our defense.

Elijah Salazar, Sr. (5'9 180) is an enthusiastic and athletic player who's poised to have a great senior season. Sr. Alex Sanchez, (5'11 210) had one of the best off-seasons of any of the players. His hard work and toughness will add depth to the middle linebacker position.

Jr. Jordan Armstrong, (6'1 200) is a strong, athletic, two sport athlete who will bring speed and toughness to the middle linebacker position. Sr. Billy Greene, (5'11 180) is a three-sport athlete (basketball and track) who will help out at OLB. Jr. Justin Daniels will also see action.

DEFENSIVE BACKS:

The strength of the defense will feature numerous exceptional athletes who will make plays for the Centaurs. Sr. Mekhi Ware CB, (6'1 180) was a first team All-League and All-CIF performer last season. He led the state with 11 interceptions and is a shut down corner. He has been offered scholarships by San Jose State, University of Hawaii, and Idaho.

Jr. Alex Smith CB, (6' 175) was the J.V. MVP last season and is a three-sport athlete (basketball and track). He has had a great summer and is another in the long line of many successful Division 1 CB's that CCHS has developed over the years.

The strong safety is Sr. John Lewis (5'11 190). He is one of the most physical players in the Centaur secondary. He has improved and will use the experience he gained last season to solidify our defensive backfield.

Sr. Justin Cox, (5'11 185) was a second team All-League safety and is the only three-year starter in the secondary. He is freakishly athletic and plays both strong and free safety. Sr. Steve Ashby, (5'10 170) brings enthusiasm, knowledge and a love of the game. The team will rely on his experience and senior leadership.

Jr. Charles Ross, (6' 165) has had a great summer. We expect him to be a special talent in the secondary. Tyler Luckett, (5'8 165), the only sophomore in the secondary, is coming off a great track season and is one of the fastest Centaurs. He will add to the aggressive man-to-man scheme that CC is known for.

Others who will see playing time are Jr. Jamar Banes, Jr. CB Jerrion Anderson and Jr. Christian Williams.

OFFENSE

Coach Wright stated, "we're excited about the CC offensive attack this season!"

He continued on: "we have a lot of depth at the wide receiver position, and experience at quarterback and we have strength and athleticism in the OL and this should be another season of 'fast break' CC football."

OFFENSIVE LINE:

RT Justin Berry started all 11 games as a sophomore, gaining valuable experience, and we are expecting him to be a solid performer. LT Sr. Sebastian Knowles (6'2 255) has had a great off-season and has improved dramatically from last year because of his hard work.

LG Jr. Jayden Porter started 8 games as a sophomore and is the strongest OL. He has great feet, runs well, and we are looking for him to be the leader of the OL. RG Jr. Nick Swinford (5'10 200) gained valuable experience as a sophomore when he started several games. He is intelligent, tough, and a hard-nosed football player.

C Sr. Cameron Williams (6'1 240), suffered a season ending injury in the first game of the season last year, has worked hard this off-season and we are looking forward for him to have a great senior season. Others who will see playing time are: Soph. Diego Campos, Roman Hayden and Amir Hodge.

RUNNING BACKS:

Jr. Brandon Oum (5'8 175) is coming off an excellent track season, and is one of the members of the League Champion 4X100 relay team. He will bring great speed and quickness to the backfield.

Jr. Nick Bradley (5'9 175) is another CC sprinter who had a great off-season. Bradley brings toughness and a great work ethic to the talented backfield. When used, the fullback will be Jr. Justin Daniels (5'9 220).

QUARTERBACKS: CC returns first team All-League Jr. QB Jonathan Martin (6'1 185). After a long rehab process, Martin is back at full strength ready to lead the CC offense again. He is a dynamic runner and an accurate passer.

He broke Darius Banks' all time Culver City sophomore record for completion percentage last year (59%). Martin is a duel threat QB who amassed over 2,500 yards of total offense and 25 TDs in only 7 games.

Sr. Bryce Lewis-Wolfe (5'10 155). The Centaurs have depth at the QB position. He started four games and performed very well and gained valuable experience last season. Whoever is leading the offense, we will be in good hands.

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Sr. Deven Osborne (6'8 195) started all 11 games last season. He has great height improved speed, and soft hands and good leadership skills. He is getting looks from D1 programs and we expect him to have a big year.

Sr. Justin Cox is an explosive athlete who was a CIF qualifier in the long jump and triple jump. He was a second team All-Leaguer who we are depending upon to make big plays this season.

Sr. Mekhi Ware is a two-way starter and an All-CIF performer at cornerback. He's an exceptional playmaker with soft hands and is one of the best two-way players on the westside.

Jr. Charles Ross has grown and emerged as one of the top Centaurs Wr's! He is an outstanding athlete who has the best hands on the team and is a top playmaker who should have a great season. He made great plays all summer!

Soph Kevin McGuire (5'8 165) is an excellent slot receiver who the Cents will depend on to make big plays with his speed and elusiveness. Jr. Tye'ler Grant (5'9 165) started last year as a Soph. He brings speed, toughness, and experience to a deep wide receiver corps.

Jr. Robert Simon (5'9 170) played all 11 games last season as a soph. and is a three sport athlete. He adds another weapon to the Centaur arsenal. Others who will see playing time: Sr. David Textle, Sr. Andy Garcia-Lopez, Jr. Aaron Leach, and Sr. Steven Ashby. When used, the tight end will be Alex Sanchez.

KICKER:

The new kicker/punter will be Jr. Carlos Barillo (6'1 175). Carlos got valuable experience on the J.V. team last year. He has a good, accurate leg. We are expecting him to be another solid kicker for the Centaurs. Backing him up will be Bobby Simon.

OUTLOOK: Coach Wright and his coaching staff expect another tight Ocean League race this year. CCHS won league in '15 when Lawndale used an ineligible player and had to forfeit two league games.

We again expect the main competition to come from El Segundo and Lawndale. Lawndale lost a lot of senior talent, several of whom had transferred from Santa Monica, but they still should be tough especially since we play them on the road.

El Segundo returns a seasoned veteran line and a great running back who already has a few Division 1 offers. Santa Monica is an unknown and Hawthorne could be a sleeper. Rival Beverly Hills always puts up a good fight and will be a tough game for us.

Fred Altieri

Culver defense expected to be formidable once again