Redondo’s 1-2 punch

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Redondo is relying heavily on a couple of undersized senior running backs who came up big in the Sea Hawks’ first victory of the season, a 28-13 defeat of North Torrance that was detailed by the Daily Breeze last week.

Hayward Gray, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound tailback, rushed for 270 yards and Joe Rubio, a 5-8, 170-pound fullback, had 80 yards against the Saxons, according to Redondo Coach Gene Simon.

The Sea Hawks (1-2) will need similar performances if they are to stay with Serra (3-0) Friday at Redondo. The Cavaliers are ranked seventh in the latest Southern Section Northwest Division coaches’ poll.

‘We’ve got good, experienced kids with good speed, and who just love to play football,’ Simon said. ‘We’re not world-beaters or anything, but just about any game we play, we should be in. I think this group gives us a chance every game.’

Redondo lost its season opener, 34-14, to Mission Viejo, the No 9 team in the Southern Section Pac-5 Division and No. 14 in The Times’ rankings, and then was edged by St. Paul, 17-16, before beating North Torrance.

‘We felt we had to win, and we did. We just let the game come to us,’ Rubio said.

The Sea Hawks believe they will benefit the rest of the season from competing against Mission Viejo.

‘Once you play against them, you really feel like you can play against any team,’ Gray said. ‘Nobody else we play is going to be that good.’

Still, the Sea Hawks should be wary of Serra. The Cavaliers defeated the Sea Hawks, 17-7, last season.

- Lauren Peterson