Defense gives Redondo third win with victory at top-ten ranked Culver City
Senior running back Jamaal Perkins rushed for a game-high 86 yards despite missing almost half the game because of a toe injury. Photo
If Redondo Union head coach Matt Ballard had any questions regarding how his Sea Hawks would perform on the road, they were quickly answered Friday when Redondo defeated host Culver City 28-14.
The Sea Hawk defense recorded six sacks in the win including 3.5 by sophomore defensive lineman Cedric Muzik whose final sack forced a fumble to thwart a Centaur drive in the fourth quarter. The turnover led to Jonathan Allagoa’s 12-yard touchdown run to seal the win.
Redondo win avenged a 32-27 home loss to Culver City last season. The Centaurs entered Friday’s game ranked No. 9 in the CIF Southern Section Western Division and was the second ranked team Redondo has faced this season.
“We are not where we need to be yet, but our goal has been weekly progress, so we are headed in the right direction,” Ballard said.
The Sea Hawks jumped out to an early lead when Colin Hindle returned an interception 42 yards on the Centaur’s opening series setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Jamaal Perkins.
Perkins added another 2-yard scoring run to put Redondo up 14-0 before Culver City answered with a 16-play drive that resulted in a 17-yard touchdown reception by Marcus Moore.
Although Moore amassed 114 receiving yards, Redondo’s defense buckled down inside the 40 yard lines.
A 24-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Harrison Faecher to Hindle gave Redondo a 21-7 lead. Faecher completed 8 of 15 passes for 103 yards giving the third-year starter 664 yards and seven touchdowns in four games this season.
Perkins led Redondo’s ground game with 86 yards despite missing most of the second and third quarters with a toe injury. Allagoa rushed for 68 yards in the second half to help the Sea Hawks take time off the clock.
Senior lineman Harry Whitson was selected by the Redondo coaching staff as Offensive Players of the Game while Muzik earned Defensive Player of the Game.
As a punter. Faecher was selected as the Sea Hawk’s Special Teams Player of the Game and junior lineman Zack Harris was named Scout/Practice Player of the Week.
Redondo (3-1) returns to Sea Hawk Bowl for a 7 p.m. game on Friday against Marine League contender San Pedro. The Sea Hawks edged the Pirates 13-9 in last season’s contest.
“Our toughness will be tested against San Pedro which is always a physical team,” Ballard said.
San Pedro (3-0) is coming off a bye week after a 21-0 win at Morro Bay, and home victories against Locke (46-12) and University (17-6).
San Pedro’s strength is its defense anchored by defensive backs Cean Tukes and Albert Martinez. The Pirates return five All-Marine League players that include All-City Section running back/linebacker Pete Palacios, Tukes, defensive lineman Manoah Tuiasosopo, offensive lineman Dominic O’Brien and linebacker Rudy Alvidrez.
Sophomore Jacob Miller is the Pirate’s signal caller and has a slew of running backs to choose from including Palacios, Chris Alvidrez, Stephan Vaughn and Dupree Rose
The receiving corps features Palacios, Tukes and Martinez.