Friday’s football game between Redondo and Palos Verdes should be billed as a Friday Night Lights epic, but with the absence of lights at the high school on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the showdown between the Bay League’s two undefeated teams will lose some of its luster with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
For those fortunate to witness the battle for first place, the game will pit two athletic teams looking to move into sole possession of first place in the Bay League and assure a spot in the CIF Northern Division playoffs.
Although Palos Verdes (6-2, 3-0) is considered the favorite the win the league championship and is the only Bay League team ranked in the CIF poll at No. 10, Redondo (4-4, 3-0) enters the game with its offense firing on all cylinders.
After scoring 105 points in its first six games, Redondo has put 102 points on the board in the last two weeks including a 57-13 thrashing of visiting Leuzinger last Friday.
Led by sophomore quarterback Harrison Faecher, Redondo used a 30-point outburst in the second quarter to defeat Leuzinger and set up Friday’s first-place battle with Palos Verdes, a team that overcame West’s explosive offense for a 37-28 victory. Redondo defeated West 45-38 the previous week.
All-league linebacker Zach Zent expects a tough, physical game.
“Palos Verdes has a balanced attack that can score a lot of points,” Zent said. “We’ll have to play a stout defense to help our offense keep us in the game. We know we can score as well. It’s been nice to see some points on the board which is different from last season.”
Ryan Spiwak began Redondo’s offensive surge against Leuzinger with a 14-yard touchdown run and, after Steven Vaughan recovered a blocked punt by Londone Hawkins in the end zone for a touchdown, the Sea Hawks had a 14-point lead and never looked back.
Faecher threw three touchdown passes – 19 yards to Hunter Bradshaw, 15 yards to Spiwak, and 15 yards to Davion Goodall — in the second quarter and Brandon Kim added a 4-yard scoring run to give Redondo a commanding lead.
Spiwak added a 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and Tony Smith completed the Sea Hawks scoring with a 20-run for a touchdown in the final quarter.
Redondo will try to contain dual-threat quarter Zack Fixen (6-0, 175) who completed 10-of-16 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns in the Sea King’s win over West. Fixen also rushed for two touchdowns.
Fixan’s favorite targets are Donovan Ward (6-0, 180), Dean Alessi (6-2, 185) and Robby Kolanz (6-0, 180) while running backs Salvatore Vitale (5-9, 180) and Zach Henkhaus (5-8, 165) provide a balanced attack.
Palos Verdes has a strong special team unit and tight end Matt Costa (6-3, 210) and lineman Chase Eldredge (6-4, 260) are senior captains who anchor the lines on both sides of the ball.
Costa preps for rival
Mira Costa (3-5, 2-1) prepares for its Nov. 14 showdown with rival Redondo with its second consecutive road game at winless Leuzinger.
The Mustangs emerged with an impressive 31-8 win at Peninsula where running back Brandon Edmond had his third straight 100-yard game rushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
Mira Costa enjoyed its most productive first quarter of the season with a Gavin Jerrigan 35-yard field goal and a 14-yard touchdown run by Raphael Lawson-Gayle.
A 2-yard scoring run by Stephen Giovati gave the Mustangs a 17-0 lead in the second quarter and Edmond’s touchdown runs of six and 11 yards sealed the victory of Coach Don Morrow’s Mustangs.
Lawson-Gayle complimented Edmond’s performance catching five passes for 79 yards and gaining 47 yards on three rushing attempts.
Devin Christy (5-7, 175) is the leading rusher for the Olympians although Laeuma Kalolo (5-10, 185) ran for 138 yards on 15 carries against Redondo last Friday.
Wide receiver Courtney Crockett (5-10, 165) and linebackers Sloan Talone-Tavaliana (6-2, 210) and Stephen Amos (6-2, 245) are gifted athletes for Leuzinger.
