Centurion uprising
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If Saugus wants to earn any “real” respect from its Foothill League brethren, Friday’s game against Westlake is the perfect opportunity for the Centurions to prove to Hart and Canyon that it’s no pushover.
All cylinders were firing in the Centurions’ 48-21 victory over Antelope Valley and, while they appear to be in the driver’s seat for the league’s final playoff spot, Valencia illustrated it won’t have another 2-8 season with its win over an OK Palmdale squad.
And there are two main reasons why the Centurions are more than just a veiled threat this season:
REASON No. 1: Saugus has more than a couple decent players. Ryan Zirbel is one of the best running backs in the area and he proved it in the opener by rushing for 198 yards and two TDs in 25 carries. He also scored on an 86-yard kickoff return. QB Desi Rodriguez may not be the best passer ever, but he is always a threat on the ground. In addition, twin brother LBs Justin and Ryan McKillop are part of a solid defensive corps that’s made up entirely of seniors.
REASON No. 2: Saugus is only going to get stronger thanks to a competitive nonleague schedule which will see the Centurions play Alemany and Notre Dame following their duel with the Warriors. I’m not saying the Centurions are going to win all three games. In fact, I’d be shocked if they did. But I have a good feeling that if they pull off a win over a talented Westlake team coming off a week in which they were idle, the Centurions won’t be just an upset-maker anymore –- they’ll be the real deal.