This Time, Centaurs Are on Right Side of Blowout

The Culver City High football team discovered on Thursday that it's a lot more fun to be on the winning side of a blowout. After back-to-back losses by a combined 63 points, the Centaurs beat the Morningside Monarchs 44-0 in their Ocean League opener.

Astonishingly, the final score wasn't indicative of how lopsided the game actually was.

Culver City got the scoring started quickly. After stopping the Monarchs on their first drive, the Centaurs put the ball in the end zone with a two-play drive that was capped with a 20-yard touchdown run by senior running back Zakee Johnson.

The Centaurs followed that with a four-play drive, culminated with a touchdown run by running back Crae Taylor. On their next drive, senior wide receiver Alex Jackson took a screen pass 35 yards for a score. The next time Culver City had the ball, it only took one play and Jackson was in the end zone again. This time it was a 56-yard touchdown reception.

Offensive coordinator Aki Wilson said it was the running game that really opened up the Centaurs' offense.

"This was probably the best running game we've had in a while," Wilson said. "It makes a difference now that we've got our two best backs on the field, because they do good things when the ball is in their hands."

For his part, Johnson said the secret to the Centaurs' success running the ball was simple. "We just executed, that's pretty much it," he said. "It's an attitude; determination."

Johnson wasn't shy when asked what gave him the ability and motivation to run so well against the Monarchs. "Not to brag," he said, "but I can do it all."

In addition to their offensive and defensive dominance, the Centaurs were even able to capitalize on their first punt of the game.

In the second quarter, the Centaurs were able to down the ball at Morningside's 2-yard line. Two plays later, defensive lineman Deon Young knocked Morningside's Michael Garrison into quarterback Gregory Adams, who went down in the end zone. Culver City's Austin McFerran jumped on Adams in the end zone, adding two points on the scoreboard for the Centaurs.

The safety was a big play for McFerran. The junior outside linebacker missed more than a year of football after a back injury ended his season in 2009, and the victory over Morningside was his first game since suffering the injury. Afterward, McFerran was literally shaking with excitement.

"I've been wanting to get out here for a long time," he said. "It just felt really good to help my team win. I had to prove to my coaches that I could play and even though I'm coming back from an injury I can still do it."

With the return of McFerran, Johnson and others that missed time this season with injuries, the Centaurs' goal of winning a fifth straight Ocean League championship certainly looks within reach.

"We're here to do what we're gonna do," McFerran said. "That's why we're champions."