New members Inglewood and Morningside have had a rude welcoming to the Bay League, thanks to a large extent from Redondo’s football team.
Redondo (3-4, 2-0) remained undefeated in league action after its defense pitched its second straight shutout and the Sea Hawk offense ran all over host Morningside for a 41-0 victory Friday night.
After shutting down Inglewood 32-0 the previous week, Redondo’s defense held Morningside star running back Christian Williams to 58 yards on 11 carries and sacked Monarch quarterback Travian McGee five times. McGee passed for only 13 yards, completing 8 of 27 passes.
Redondo took full advantage of its bye week leading into Bay League action, finding an effective ground game that has helped produce 73 points in the last two games.
Guy Alford led a rushing attack that amassed 257 yards against Morningside, gaining 98 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries.
Morningside appeared to get on the board late in the second quarter when Morningside safety Adarrus Wilson returned an interception 79 yards for a touchdown. The score was nullified by a clipping penalty and Redondo’s shutout kept intact.
Redondo exploded in the third quarter, highlighted by Dallas Branch’s 18-yard touchdown run and an 84-yard interception return for a touchdown by safety Zane Zent.
It doesn’t get any easier for Morningside (4-3, 0-2) which travels to take on defending league champion Palos Verdes in a 3 p.m. game on Friday.
Palos Verdes (4-3, 2-0) is ranked No. 6 in the CIF Southern Section Western Division.
Redondo continues its quest for a Bay League title when it travels to Peninsula for a 3 p.m. game on Friday.
Peninsula (3-4, 1-1) is coming off a 38-27 home loss to Mira Costa whose balanced offensive attack was too much for the Panthers.
Mira Costa (2-5, 1-1) got back on the winning track while surviving a late rally by Peninsula.
Trailing 28-7 at halftime, Peninsula closed the gap when Jason Burr scored on an 8-yard pass reception early in the fourth quarter, but a failed extra point attempt kept Mira Costa in the lead 28-27.
Justus Tavai helped the Mustangs keep the Panthers off the field in the fourth quarter, pounding out 33 yards on five carries on a drive that was capped off by Omar Morrison’s 13-yard touchdown run that put Mira Costa ahead 38-27 with 2:35 remaining in the game.
Morrison finished with 90 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries, leading a Mira Costa ground attack that gained 239 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Mira Costa has been decimated by injuries this season, including those to numerous linemen, star running back Tre Searcy and tight end/linebackers Dane Largent and Dylan Tyrer.
Other players like Morrison and quarterback Jacob Silvera have stepped up to keep the Mustangs competitive. Silvera completed 14-of-21 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown and also rushed for 103 yards and one touchdown on 13 carries.
Even though Peninsula quarterback Daniel Schubert passed for 284 yards and four touchdowns, Mira Costa’s defense limited the Panther running attack to 83 yards.
The win was critical for Mira Costa, which continues its drive for a playoff spot when the Mustangs host Inglewood Friday at 7 p.m. Inglewood (1-6, 0-2) lost at Palos Verdes 37-12 Friday afternoon.
