The Culver City Centaurs(2-0) finished with a similar victory margin to their opener against West Torrance but the battle was a little tougher against the Palos Verdes Peninsula Panthers(1-2). The Centaurs had to play their starters deep into the fourth quarter, in the 61-27 victory, to insure they could hold down any Panther rally. Yards passing and rushing slightly favored the Centaurs, more so in rushing yards and the Centaurs were even able to absorb a 2 interception performance from their young QB. Panthers QB Ethan Gretzinger did present challenges and made a few good throws, but was also intercepted, or was it his back-up as it did seem they lost the services of Gretzinger for a time in the first half and the ability of Panther offense was certainly limited without him. The Panther linebacking corps picked off the two passes and their OT/NG, #53 was a beast, but cannot be named because Peninsula has not taken the time to list a complete roster on Maxpreps.com, showing only 17 players and only 7 listed with numbers. Ultimately, the Centaurs just had too much speedy talent for the Panthers to handle. It is apparent that Serra transfer, Alan Smith, is in a class by himself in terms of speed. Don't let his small size fool you or he will be past you heading for the end zone. Despite his 2 interceptions, Centaur QB Zevi Echaus did deliver a couple of beautiful passes that only the Centaur speedsters could catch. He had 3 TD passes on the night. A pleasant surprise in the offensive backfield and on defense was senior RB/OLB Malachi McMahon. With Joshua Ford already taking on some RB duties, McMahon adds depth to the position and is a tough runner as well. McMahon had both an impressive TD run and a lucky bounce, while he was at linebacker on the Centaur D, allowed him to grab the fumble from the Panther QB and zip the remaining yards into the end zone.
The Ocean League favorites, the Lawndale Cardinals(1-1), traveled to take on highly regarded Division 2 team, the Calabasas Coyotes(1-1). The Cardinals came up short in a 41-20 loss. The Coyotes got out to a 25-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Cardinals did not pack it in, instead rallying to get within 25-20 after 3 quarters of play. But the Cardinals limited ability to throw the ball against such a high quality opponent, put too much pressure on the Cardinals running game and defense to keep up. A fourth quarter fumble by the Cardinals sealed off any hopes for a rally.
The El Segundo Eagles(1-1) are now definitely considered the projected third place finisher in the Ocean League as they struggled for the second week in a row in their 24-17 loss to North Torrance Saxons (2-1). North did not dominate the game as the Eagles lead 7-0 and were up 10-7 with just 3 minutes left in the third quarter. But the Saxons scored 2 TD's within the last 3 minutes of the third quarter. The Eagles rallied to get within 21-17 with 11 minutes still to go in the 4th, but a FG by North with 4 minutes to go extended the Saxon lead to the final score of 24-17. The Saxons Stephen Bradford ran for 172 yards and they also intercepted 3 passes from the well regarded senior QB for El Segundo. North looks to be the favorite to win the Pioneer League title and join West Torrance as Pioneer League representatives in the Division 9 playoffs. Find more info, if you can access, at https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/08...essary-adjustments-and-knocks-off-el-segundo/.
The Hawthorne Cougars(2-0) definitely look like they might have a team that can challenge the big 3 in the Ocean League. They are playing against lower level competition right now, beating South Torrance(0-2), 47-21, last week RB Joe Taylor the III looked real good and is getting good run and pass support from junior QB Kyle Williams. The O-line for the Cougars looks big and physical. It remains to be seen as to whether they will be that impressive against tougher competition, but they cannot be dismissed as this point and should be considered the most dangerous team in the Ocean League to pull off an upset against the big 3. More info, if you can access, can be found at https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/08...n-washington-hawthorne-run-by-south-torrance/.
The Santa Monica Vikings are considered to be the next most talented team, now after Hawthorne, but they are struggling offensively, losing 23-0 to a West Torrance squad that lost to Culver City 62-20 in week 1. They could only get 6 on the board against Compton in week 1. The only silver lining might be that the defense is apparently putting in good efforts.
The Beverly Hills Normans(1-1) victory high from their 32-0 win over Sotomayer(0-3) lasted just 1 week as they lost 62-7 to the Malibu Sharks(3-0). The win had broken the Normans 21 consecutive game losing streak. This season is still not without further hope. It could go better next week and for the next few weeks, but any hope for positive results in the Ocean League, even one win, is unlikely. The team only lists 5 seniors among it's current group of players on the varsity roster.
The Ocean League favorites, the Lawndale Cardinals(1-1), traveled to take on highly regarded Division 2 team, the Calabasas Coyotes(1-1). The Cardinals came up short in a 41-20 loss. The Coyotes got out to a 25-0 lead in the second quarter, but the Cardinals did not pack it in, instead rallying to get within 25-20 after 3 quarters of play. But the Cardinals limited ability to throw the ball against such a high quality opponent, put too much pressure on the Cardinals running game and defense to keep up. A fourth quarter fumble by the Cardinals sealed off any hopes for a rally.
The El Segundo Eagles(1-1) are now definitely considered the projected third place finisher in the Ocean League as they struggled for the second week in a row in their 24-17 loss to North Torrance Saxons (2-1). North did not dominate the game as the Eagles lead 7-0 and were up 10-7 with just 3 minutes left in the third quarter. But the Saxons scored 2 TD's within the last 3 minutes of the third quarter. The Eagles rallied to get within 21-17 with 11 minutes still to go in the 4th, but a FG by North with 4 minutes to go extended the Saxon lead to the final score of 24-17. The Saxons Stephen Bradford ran for 172 yards and they also intercepted 3 passes from the well regarded senior QB for El Segundo. North looks to be the favorite to win the Pioneer League title and join West Torrance as Pioneer League representatives in the Division 9 playoffs. Find more info, if you can access, at https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/08...essary-adjustments-and-knocks-off-el-segundo/.
The Hawthorne Cougars(2-0) definitely look like they might have a team that can challenge the big 3 in the Ocean League. They are playing against lower level competition right now, beating South Torrance(0-2), 47-21, last week RB Joe Taylor the III looked real good and is getting good run and pass support from junior QB Kyle Williams. The O-line for the Cougars looks big and physical. It remains to be seen as to whether they will be that impressive against tougher competition, but they cannot be dismissed as this point and should be considered the most dangerous team in the Ocean League to pull off an upset against the big 3. More info, if you can access, can be found at https://www.dailybreeze.com/2018/08...n-washington-hawthorne-run-by-south-torrance/.
The Santa Monica Vikings are considered to be the next most talented team, now after Hawthorne, but they are struggling offensively, losing 23-0 to a West Torrance squad that lost to Culver City 62-20 in week 1. They could only get 6 on the board against Compton in week 1. The only silver lining might be that the defense is apparently putting in good efforts.
The Beverly Hills Normans(1-1) victory high from their 32-0 win over Sotomayer(0-3) lasted just 1 week as they lost 62-7 to the Malibu Sharks(3-0). The win had broken the Normans 21 consecutive game losing streak. This season is still not without further hope. It could go better next week and for the next few weeks, but any hope for positive results in the Ocean League, even one win, is unlikely. The team only lists 5 seniors among it's current group of players on the varsity roster.
