Culver Begins Football Season With Impressive Win

The only thing missing was a fireworks show to end the action-packed performance. 2017 Culver City High football got off to an explosive start as the Centaurs' offensive machine dominated visiting West High of Torrance 58-27 before a very spirited and satisfied home crowd on Friday, September 1 at Jerry Chabola Stadium.

The defending Ocean League champions continued right where they left off last season in terms of a high-flying offense when the Centaurs averaged more than 42 points per game. This year's squad promises to be even more productive as a new infusion of talent joins an already seasoned offense and a pressure defense featuring a swift and savvy secondary.

The Centaurs last beat the Warriors 51-28 in 2011 before losing thenext five non-league games to West including a 34-33 defeat last season.Turning the tide, senior quarterback Jonathan Martin had his finest outing as Culver City racked up 796 total yards offensively and 914 all-purpose yards. Accumulating 540 total passing yards and 259 total rushing yards says it all.

The opening drive starting at the Centaur 25-yard line set the tone for the rest of the game. Martin handed off to running back Jerrian Anderson sweeping right for a 15-yard carry. Wide receiver Alex Smith caught a slant-in right near midfield. That set up a perfectly executed fake Centaur sweep right while Martin kept the ball and sprinted left 52 yards all the way into the end zone.

West High responded immediately with a kickoff return to the Culver 30-yard line. The Warriors tied the score, 7-7, two minutes later. The fun was only beginning. After a Centaur fumble West moved downfield only to miss a 35-yard field goal. One Centaur drive later Martin threw a 22-yard touchdown pass down the middle to wide receiver to Charles Ross. It was the first of three touchdown receptions for Ross.

West tied the score, 14-14, on a one yard plunge on the first play of the second quarter. One minute later Martin scored on a one-yard keeper and dive over the goal line. Centaur kicker Carlos Barillas kicked the extra point for a 21-14 lead. Barillas scored 10 points for the game on seven extra point kicks and a 38-yard field goal in the second half. Less than three minutes later Martin threw to wide receiver Tyler Lockett for a 10-yard touchdown.

Culver added one more touchdown three minutes later, an 11-yard Martin to Ross pass. The Warriors scored with four minutes to go to trail 35-21 at halftime. For all practical purposes the game was decided on the Centaurs first drive of the second half. Martin hit wide receiver Jamal Glaspie for 55 yards deep in West territory to set up the third touchdown catch for Ross on the next play.

There were multiple offensive stars for Culver. Martin also led the team in rushing with 103 yards gained on seven carries including two touchdowns. Anderson had 64 yards on four carries. Joshua Ford ran for 43 yards on seven carries and one touchdown. Brandon Oum had 33 yards on seven carries. The team averaged 9.3 yards per carry on 28 total rushes.

The Centaur receiving corps shined even brighter. Three receivers gained over 100 yards each: Kevin McGuire led with 165 total yards on seven receptions and completely stretched the field against West. Tyler Luckett had six catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Jamal Glaspie had six catches for 104 yards. Three of the four catches by Charles Ross were touchdowns. Oum caught two passes for 37 yards. Ford caught one for 23 yards and Chris Miller caught one for 19 yards.

Jonathan Martin's passing stats were impressive not to mention his field leadership skills and execution. He completed 28 of 37 passes for 537 yards and five touchdowns thrown. His longest was a 73-yarder to Luckett. He averages 19.2 yards per throw for a .757 completion percentage. His QB rating of 156.8 for the game was off the charts with no interceptions thrown.

The Culver defense also made the grade. Seniors Robert Simon and Charles Ross each had an interception. Outside linebacker Diego Badillo led the team in tackles with 11 total including five solo tackles. Middle linebacker Jordan Armstrong had 10 tackles and six solos. Defensive back Khary Crump had seven tackles and six solos.

Robert Simon had seven tackles and four solos. Defensive back Jamar Baines had seven tackles and four solos. Lineman Tah'je Ward had six tackles and four solos. Charles Ross had five tackles and two solos. Andrew Brown, Ward and Baines each had a tackle for loss.

The Centaurs will travel to Torrance High this Friday, September 8, to take on the 0-1 Tartars who lost their opening game to Marina High of Huntington Beach, 26-15. Martin and company is expected to continue its winning form as the Torrance is coming off a 1-9 record from last season. Culver then finishes off its non-league schedule against North Torrance, University High and Dorsey before league starts against rival El Segundo next month.