Culver City linebacker Pierce Reynoso tackles the Palos Verdes quarterback for a loss during a game a few weeks ago. The Centaurs start the CIF playoffs on Friday on the road against Ayala.
After many months of practices, lifting weights, watching films and playing games the Culver City High School Centaurs start the CIF Division 4 football playoffs on Friday against the Ayala Bulldogs from Chino Hills. The kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Ayala. Culver City is 7-3 overall and they finished with a 4-1 record in the Bay league. Ayala is 6-4 and their Mountain West league record is 3-0.
The game will showcase two teams with two completely different styles. Ayala is a predominantly running team and Culver City is mainly a passing team. Ayala has run for 2,215 yards and Culver City has passed for 3,044 yards. Ayala senior Marquis Monroe has 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns running the ball and junior Jedi Hernandez has 501 yards running the ball.
Culver City quarterback Sammy Silvia has thrown for 2,948 yards and 31 touchdowns while his main receiver, Myles Singleton, has caught 45 passes for 776 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Centaurs number one running back, Pierce Reynoso has carried the ball 111 times for 769 yards.
On defense the Centaurs will rely on defensive backs Brandon Mahoney, Myles Singleton, Braylon Singleton and James Wright. The linebacking group is led by J.R Kirkwood and Reynoso and the defensive line is backed by Keenan Carter. The kicking duties are handled by Henry Brownlow.
The CIF playoffs are single elimination so the Centaurs must come ready to play. "We want to focus on putting a great game plan together," said Culver City head coach Jahmal Wright last Friday night after their 27-26 win over the Santa Monica Vikings at Santa Monica. "We have to execute our technique and play our best football. I think we are playing our best football right now and we are healthy."
Wright continued to talk about their playoff game on Friday. "I think we are ready to make a run in the playoffs. We have an explosive offense and a solid defense. On offense it's not just one or two players. We have a lot of weapons that we can use but our defense has to tighten up and play the running lanes, tackle well and cause turnovers."
The Centaurs main weapon on offense is senior quarterback Silvia. He is having an outstanding year. "I expected to do well with the coaching staff that I have and the with the offense that we run and the weapons that I have around me," said Silvia after the Santa Monica game. "None of my success would be possible without the play of the offensive line. We have a great team."
Silvia seems to always keep a level head regardless of the situation. If he is winning or losing. He has the same look on his face. Sometimes that is a hard thing to do when you are the big man on campus. "I just have to tell myself that I know what I am doing and trust myself. I also try not to get big headed, and my family helps me to keep a level head and I know I can always get better."
If the Culver City wins they will play the winner of the Capistrano Valley against Downey game next Friday.
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