Redondo’s rushing game continued to run on all cylinders and the Sea Hawk defense created four turnovers to throttle host Leuzinger 45-26.
The win sets up a showdown for first place in the Bay League when Redondo (5-3, 3-0) hosts Palos Verdes (5-3, 3-0) at 7 p.m. on Friday.
Redondo players apparently listened to their first-year head coach when Matt Ballard addressed his team of the importance of not overlooking Leuzinger (1-7, 0-3) and remaining focus on their own game which focuses on a strong running attack.
“Much credit and respect has to be given to the Leuzinger boys,” Ballard said. “Playing with only 18 they gave our Sea Hawk squad all they could handle.”
Anthony Philyaw continued his stellar season scoring four touchdowns in the rout. The senior running back made the most of his 10 carries, rushing for 213 yards and touchdown runs of 5, 80 and 70 yards. He also caught two passes for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Entering the game, Philyaw led the South Bay in rushing yards and now has carried the ball 154 times for 1,238 yards and 12 touchdowns despite missing one game.
Jamaal Perkins added 145 yards rushing on 15 carries for Redondo. Along with Philyaw and Perkins, Ballard credited Stephon Sudduth and Zane Zent for helping Redondo amass 396 yards rushing.
Junior quarterback Harrison Faecher earned Player of the Game honors from his coaching staff after completing 7 of 12 passing attempts for 157 yards and three touchdowns.
The stingy Sea Hawk defense had three interceptions and one fumble recovery to keep Redondo’s offensive unit on the field. Redondo scored 21 unanswered points on pass plays in the second quarter to pull away from the Olympians. Freddie Smith scored on a 40-yard reception before Philyaw hauled in a 40-yard strike and DeAaron Williams caught a 21-yard touchdown pass.
Sophomore kicker Colin Castillo nailed a 22-yard field goal for the only scoring in the third quarter.
Junior defensive end Colin Hindle was named Redondo’s Defensive Player of the Game and senior long snapper Brett Kassel was selected as the Special Teams Player of the Game.
Palos Verdes kept pace with Redondo with a resounding 47-14 home win over West (5-3, 0-3), a team that entered Bay League play as the favorite with 5-0 record.
But, while West’s non-league schedule included local teams including the three other Torrance schools, Palos Verdes and Redondo played a much more demanding schedule that is paying off for both squads as they position themselves for the CIF Northern Division playoffs that begin Nov. 9.
“To be the best, you have to play the best,” Ballard said. “We consider this week to be our championship game.”
Redondo will have its hands full with a Palos Verdes’ defense that has virtually shut down the highly-productive offenses of Mira Costa and West.
“Palos Verdes is very well coached and a balanced team with good talent,” Ballard said. “There are no tricks to playing them. We just have to execute and play error-free football.”
Quarterback Bryan Scott has been proficient leading a balanced Sea King offense completing 60 of 98 passing attempts for 15 touchdowns, including four against West. He has yet to throw an interception this season.
Palos Verdes running back Matt Lopes has rushed for 761 yards and 13 touchdowns on 85 attempts this year and receiver Dean Alessi is averaging over 26 yards per catch (22 for 591 yards) while scoring 10 touchdowns.
Future stars of Redondo’s football program will be on the field Friday when a Pop Warner scrimmage is held at halftime, continuing a tradition instituted by Ballard during his previous coaching job at Half Moon Bay.
