Using a balanced offense, Redondo overcame a 14-13 halftime deficit to defeat West 45-38 in the second week of league competition joining Palos Verdes, a 28-7 winner over host Mira Costa, in the unbeaten ranks of the Bay League setting up a showdown between the two teams on Friday, Nov. 4 in a 2:30 p.m. contest at Palos Verdes.
Not only did the victory by the Sea Hawks spoiled the Warrior’s Homecoming game, but it put a damper on the home team’s dedication and re-naming of the stadium for longtime coach Fred Peterson.
Peterson, who died in August, coached alongside Redondo head coach Gene Simon at El Camino College during his 57-year career mentoring at the high school and community college level. Peterson recorded a 140-53-3 record, including a CIF championship in 1982 while at the helm of the West program.
Redondo’s victory gave the team its first winning streak of the season while sophomore quarterback Harrison Faecher enjoyed the best game of his varsity career, completing 11-of-20 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Anthony Philyaw provided ground support rushing for 107 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries and Davion Goodall caught seven passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns to lead Redondo’s aerial assault.
In the opening quarter, Hunter Bradshaw gave Redondo its first lead of the game by hauling in a 26-yard pass reception for a touchdown and kicking the extra point.
After Goodall scored on a 34-yard pass play in the second quarter, Bradshaw regained the lead for the Sea Hawks with a 21-yard field goal for the first scoring in the second half.
A 38-yard interception return by Erik Brown for a touchdown and a 7-yard scoring run by Philyaw gave Redondo a 3-21 lead entering the fourth quarter.
After Goodall scored on a 65-yard pass reception, he gave Redondo the lead for good, catching a 21-yard touchdown strike from Faecher with 1:23 left in regulation.
Redondo’s defense, led by linebackers Tony Smith, Ryan Spiwak and Zach Zent, sealed the win keeping the explosive West offense out of the end zone after the Warriors had a first-and-10 from the Sea Hawk 15-yard line.
Prior to its showdown at Palos Verdes, Redondo (3-4, 2-0) will host winless Leuzinger (0-7, 0-2) Friday at 7 p.m. Leuzinger is suffering through a dismal season where head coach Reginald Grant resigned for “personal reasons” after the Olympian’s fourth game and was replaced by junior varsity coach Keith Aquilar as the interim coach.
Leuzinger is coming off a 33-6 loss to visiting Peninsula but did manage to score its second touchdown of the season when Sloan Talone-Tavatiana (6-2, 210) scored on a 10-yard run. Courtney Crockett (5-10, 165) hauled in four passes for 89 yards in the loss.
Devin Christy (5-7, 175) is the leading rusher for the Olympians, who have scored only 15 points and been shutout five times this season.
Must win for Mustangs
After suffering a home loss to league-favorite Palos Verdes, Mira Costa (2-5, 1-1) has a key match-up at Peninsula (5-2, 1-1) Thursday afternoon with playoff hopes on the line for both teams. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 p.m.
Mira Costa couldn’t overcome Palos Verdes’ big plays and physical offensive line in its attempt to stay atop the Bay League standings.
After a scoreless first quarter, Zach Henkhaus returned a punt 47 yards for a touchdown to give the Sea Kings the lead but the Mustangs tied the score 7-7 in the second quarter on Stephen Giovati’s 2-yard run and Gavin Jerrigan’s extra point that culminated an 80-yard drive.
Brandon Edmond rushed for more than 100 yards for the second straight game, amassing 107 yards on 16 carries although 55 of the yards came on the opening play of the lone scoring drive.
Henkhaus gave Palos Verdes (5-2, 2-0) a 21-7 halftime lead after returning a punt 80 yards for a touchdown.
Mira Costa advances to face a Peninsula team that is coming off a 33-6 win at Leuzinger. The Panthers feature running back Okuoma Idah (5-11, 185) who led the team’s 310-yard rushing performance gaining 161 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against the Olympians.
The winner of Friday’s contest will remain in the hunt for the Bay League crown but will need some help along the way. Palos Verdes travels to West (4-3, 0-2) Friday before hosting Redondo in a 2 p.m. game Nov. 3. Mira Costa plays at Leuzinger Nov. 3 before rivalry week on Nov. 10 when Mira Costa hosts Redondo and Peninsula plays at Palos Verdes
