One week after suffering a heartbreaking loss to Santa Monica, the Redondo Union football team rebounded to give head coach Matt Ballard and the Sea Hawk faithful a convincing 35-14 win over visiting Antelope Valley Friday afternoon.
Senior quarterback Harrison Faecher completed 15 of 23 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns for the Sea Hawks who rallied from a 14-0 deficit early in the second quarter to improve its record to 2-1.
“It was not the start we were hoping for, but we can’t complain about the finish,” Ballard said. “It is our hope that a valuable lesson was learned… we can’t afford to come out without enthusiasm and passion in this game.”
After Antelope Valley’s bad snap on a punt attempt gave Redondo possession on the Antelope’s 27-yard line, the Sea Hawks ground their way during the short drive that was culminated by fullback Michael Navarro’s 2-yard dive into the end zone.
The touchdown was the first of four Redondo would score in a span of just over five minutes. After Antelope Valley workhorse Cameron French had an 80-yard touchdown run negated by a penalty, Redondo held and quickly tied the score when Jamaal Perkins ran 20 yards with 2:53 left in the first half.
With the Sea Hawk defense settling in and forcing another punt, Redondo went ahead when Faecher connected with Keanu Capper on a 50-yard scoring strike with 1:29 left.
It wasn’t long before Faecher found Capper again for a 35-yard gain. Navarro’s 1-yard touchdown run gave the Sea Hawks a 28-14 halftime lead.
A 38-yard touchdown pass from Faecher to Marcel Myers in the third quarter added to Redondo’s lead and the Sea Hawk defense did the rest.
French, who gave Antelope Valley the lead with touchdown runs of 80 and 17 yards, was held to only three yards on four carries in the second half after amassing 129 yards on 10 carries in the first half.
Junior defensive back Zane Zent sealed the Sea Hawk’s victory with a game-ending interception.
Capper enjoyed his best game as a Sea Hawk gaining 101 yards on four receptions earning the senior the team’s Offensive Player of the Game award.
Junior defensive back Salesi Fifita was named Redondo’s Defensive and Special Teams Player of the Game while the Sea Hawk coaching staff selected senior defensive lineman Nicholas Carrillo the team’s Scout/Practice Player of the Week.
Redondo’s running attack was led by Stephon Sudduth, who gained 48 yards on 11 carries. Jamaal Perkins added 43 yards and had a 60-yard touchdown nullified because of a penalty.
Redondo will have its first road game of the season on Friday when the Sea Hawks travel to face Culver City in a 7 p.m. contest.
Culver City (1-1) evened its record with a 41-27 win at Peninsula Friday afternoon. The Centaurs game against the Sea Hawks will be the third in a row against Bay league opponents. Culver City dropped its season opener at home with a 36-15 loss to West Torrance but is ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Western Division.
“Culver City is a team that has beaten the Sea Hawks several years running,” Ballard explained “A strong showing is needed to prove we can contend with explosive teams and get the experience to compete in a tough Bay League.”
Peninsula held a 7-6 lead at halftime before Culver City scored 28 unanswered points to pull away.
Only a junior, Division 1 recruit Stanley Norman (6-0, 170) recorded 192 yards and four touchdowns on nine catches to lead Culver City’s offense.
Senior quarterback David Handler (6-5, 230) has an arsenal of targets to choose from. Junior Brandon Hasson (6-0, 160) and sophomore Marcus Moore (5-9, 165) complement Norman.
Running back Donovan Davis (5-9, 170) will run behind an offensive line that includes left tackle Jerad Maxberry (6-4, 320), right tackle Ryan Ossanlo (6-4, 225) and right guard Danny Mora (6-1, 240).
Culver City’s defense features returning linebacker Remy Grundy (6-1, 205), defensive back Kevin Beacham (6-0, 180) and Norman at corner back.
