Culver City Observer -

The Centaurs are CIF Football Champions once again! Culver City High hit the desert road Saturday night and shifted into high gear to speed past San Jacinto High with authority, 61-21. They captured the 2018 Division 7 crown at Tiger Stadium in Riverside County. Culver City won its first CIF title 40 years ago when they beat Lompoc, 14-7, in 1978.

The Centaurs rallied to lead at halftime, 28-21, after the Tigers jumped to a 14-7 first quarter lead. Led by senior wide receiver/running back Kevin McGuire and sophomore quarterback Zevi Eckhaus the Centaurs scored five unanswered touchdowns in the second half. The Culver defense controlled the outcome and added the fatal blows, returning two turnovers for touchdowns for a convincing win.

"We just came out here and fought to the end," said McGuire. "They were a good team and made it to the Championship. We practiced hard. We were ready. We were very prepared. It's a great group of guys. It means everything to win with them and with the City in the stands."

Culver City's speed was on full display. McGuire scored four touchdowns, Eckhaus rushed for one and threw four touchdown passes. Seniors Jamal Glaspie, Antonio Morillo, Joshua Ford and Malachi McMahon each scored a touchdown for the 12-2 Centaurs. Head coach Jahmal Wright and his staff are now preparing the team for the 2018 CIF State Football Championship.

"It's amazing! Words cannot explain," offered Eckhaus. "We just listened to our coaches, followed our game plan and played our football. I said in the first round if we play our brand of football we would go far. And we went far. CIF Champions!"

The Centaurs will host Lincoln High from San Diego beginning 7:30 p.m. this Friday, November 30 at Jerry Chabola Stadium for the 2018 CIF 3-AA State Football Championship. The Hornets won the CIF San Diego Section – Division 2 title beating Mira Mesa High, 23-3, this past Friday.

Fred Altieri

Quarterback Zevi Eckhaus (4) and wide receiver.Kevin McGuire (2) - Enjoying the moment

Lincoln (10-4) finished tied for fourth in the highly-competitive Western League. The Hornets are 3-1 on the road this season, discounting a pair of 2-0 forfeit losses on the road occurred during league play. The Centaurs are a perfect 8-0 this season playing at home. The winner will play the CIF Northern Section winner on Saturday, December 15 for the State title, at a yet to be determined site.

The Centaurs mowed through the competition during the four-round Playoffs. They opened Round 1 at home with a 55-7 victory over Santa Barbara. In Round 2 they dismissed a tough Millikan squad, 43-30, on the road. Culver overwhelmed previously top-ranked Northview, 40-14, in the Division 7 Semifinals. The high-octane offense is just two shy of averaging 50 points per game in the Playoffs.

Read the upcoming edition of the Culver City Observer for the complete story of the Centaurs' championship victory.