Defense is just as important as the offense for the Centaurs

Coaches and players say a good defense wins championships. Culver City High School boys football teams have had outstanding offensive players for many years, but this year feels a little different. They still have great offensive talent, but the defense must also play great if the Centaurs expect to win the newly constructed Bay league.

Last week and against Narbonne a few weeks ago were good examples of what the Culver City defense must do to stay in contention for a CIF playoff spot. Last Friday the defense helped them defeat a speedy Warren team 27-14 on the road. Against Narbonne the defense stepped up again against another fast team. The final score was 43-26. On Friday the 4-0 Centaurs battle another speedy team, Susan Miller Dorsey high school on the Culver City campus at 7 p.m.

"Dorsey is formidable opponent," said Culver City head coach Jahmal Wright after practice last Monday. "They have talent. They have a lot of outstanding athletes, and they are 3-1. They are battle tested and they will be a challenge for us. This is our last preseason game so we will need to be sharp and play our best football if we expect to beat Dorsey. This is the type of game our coaching staff likes. We look forward to playing good football teams."

Once again, the spotlight will be on the defense against Dorsey. "We just have to play assignment football," said defensive coordinator Derrick Huezo after the Warren game. "We also need to read our keys and tackle in space."

When Huezo talks about the defense his eyes light up. "They are really playing outstanding so far this year. The defensive line, the linebackers and the defensive backs are making plays and it's beautiful to see my son (Derrick Huezo Jr.) out there competing with the defensive unit. He is playing the same defensive back position I played at Culver City 19 years ago."

There are several defensive stars this year but the two players that had great a game against Warren were linebacker Dae'lon Moutra and lineman Mario Reyes. Both players recorded 12 tackles against Warren. "It feels good to hear my name called," said Moutra after the Warren game. "Our defense has a lot of potential to make stops. When we are out there, we do our thing. Honestly, our main focus is to make sure we keep our heads in the game. One bad play does not define us. We just need to keep remembering our assignments."

Wright had this to say about Moutra. "Moutra has come a long way. He is probably pound for pound one of the strongest players on the team and he is essential when it comes to helping the defense line up in the right positions. He is our quarterback on defense."

Reyes is a junior who was a starting defensive lineman last year but this year he is the starting nose tackle on defense and the starting left guard on offense. "I think everyone did their job tonight," said Reyes after the Warren game. "The linebackers went to the gaps, the linemen and the defensive backs did what they had to do. Everyone rallied to the ball. We just need to keep getting stronger as a defensive unit and everyone must play well for us to be successful."

The defense needs to keep improving especially when they start Bay league play at home on October 4, against Palos Verdes. The six teams in the Bay league are a combined 20-6 with Culver City, 4-0, Leuzinger 4-0, and Inglewood 5-0, leading the pack. Mira Costa is 3-1, Lawndale is 2-2, and Palos Verdes is 2-3.

The offense had its moments against Warren and one of the highlights was a touchdown reception by senior Justin Hoang. "On that play it was a corner post," said Hoang after the game. "I had to fake my defender, and I was open in the end zone. I feel good to contribute in any way possible. We have a really good receiving group so any contribution I make I am happy with that."

It's all in the family when it comes to football for the Hoang family. His younger brother, Nicholas, is the backup quarterback on the Culver City team and their father is a former Culver City football player and a former Culver City football coach.

After the Dorsey game Friday, it will time to get ready for a tough Bay league. "We need to get pass Dorsey before we start thinking about the Bay league," said Wright.