Redondo rides winning streak into Bay League action after beating West
Redondo running back CJ Dietrich fights for yardage during the Sea Hawks’ 31-13 win over visiting West Torrance. Photo
After dropping its first three games, Redondo’s football team has rebounded, taking a two-game winning streak into Bay League competition this week.
Redondo (2-3) looks to give freshman quarterback Kaden Martin more experience when the Sea Hawks host Centennial (0-5) Friday in a 7 p.m. contest.
In a game pitting two Compton schools against each other, Centennial was routed by Dominguez (2-3). Centennial has been outscored 166-15 this season with the Apaches scoring its 15 points in a 28-15 loss to Verbum Dei.
Redondo is coming off an impressive 31-13 win against visiting West Torrance (2-3). The Warriors had defeated Mira Costa the week before.
Redondo jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 9-yard run by CJ Dietrich before West made a field goal for the lone score in the second quarter.
The Sea Hawks relied on their running game in the second half. After a West field goal pulled the Warriors to within one at 7-6, Redondo erupted for two touchdowns.
Martin connected with Drew Wilson for an 80-yard touchdown pass, then Martin called his own number, racing 15 yards to paydirt.
In the fourth quarter, a 30-yard field goal by Robert Baker gave Redondo a 24-6 lead before West scored to make it 24-13, then Redondo sealed the victory when Demarcus Johnson raced for a 66-yard touchdown.
Martin finished the game throwing for 248 yards (12-for-28), Johnson ran for 121 yards on eight carries and Dietrich gained 81 yards on 12 carries.
The senior tandem of Dietrich and Johnson shared Offensive Players of the Game honors.
“It was a great night to celebrate our teachers and staff at Redondo Union’s ‘Teacher Appreciation Night,’” Redondo head coach Matt Ballard said. “The defense played very well against an explosive West offense, holding the Warriors to 228 total yards including four sacks, two turnovers, allowing only one play over 20 yards, and holding West to only 22 percent (4 of 18) on third downs.
“West is a good team, so we’re very proud of our boys’ performance, and optimistic about where we are as we head into Bay League competition next week.”
Junior defensive back Daniel Webb was Defensive Player of the Game, junior Drew Wilson earned Special Teams Player of the Game and the Scout “Eager Beaver” award went to junior wide receiver/defensive back Lance Brugma.
Mira Costa routed
Mira Costa (2-3) wrapped up a brutal non-league schedule with a 50-20 loss to host South Hills (5-0), the No. 1 ranked team in CIF-SS Division 6.
The Mustangs fell behind early as South Hills scored 26 unanswered points in the first half. Mira Costa scored all of its points in the third quarter when Mustang quarterback Nick Carpino threw two touchdown passes, including a 55-yard strike to Jackson Fischer, and ran for another.
Things don’t get any easier for Mira Costa who will host Palos Verdes (2-3) Friday at 7 p.m. in the Bay League opener for both teams.
Palos Verdes rides a two-game winning streak into the contest after the Sea Kings dropped their first three contests to extremely talented teams Corona del Mar (No. 2, Div. 4), Narbonne (No. 1, LA City) and Madison of San Diego (No. 8, San Diego Div. 1).
Palos Verdes is led by senior quarterback Ben Davidson, running backs Luka Kielbasa (173 yards, two touchdowns) and Ryan Wilson (163 yards, three touchdowns). Receiver Julian Alessi had caught 12 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
Kielbasa also leads the defense with 40 tackles.
Palos Verdes has won the Bay League title the last seven years under head coach Guy Gardner. The team shared the crown with Mira Costa and Redondo in 2016.