Can Culver City climb into the rankings?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

I’ve got to give credit, where credit is due.

Toward that end, I’m having a midseason change of mind about Culver City, and making an all-out push to get the Centaurs into The Times’ rankings.

Now, before anyone jumps on me and says, ‘Ah-hah, I told you so,’ let me make it clear that this was something I expected to happen at some point. The Centaurs, with talented, multi-faceted senior quarterback Darius Banks, pictured right, at the controls, were too good for it not to.

In making out my ‘secret’ ballot for The Times’ top-25 poll last week, I slipped Culver City in at No. 24.

After the Centaurs’ 42-26 victory over Morningside in an Ocean League game Friday night, they’ll go higher this week. And I’d like to suggest to my colleagues on the voting panel that the Centaurs (7-0, 2-0) burst their ‘bubble’ status and make the jump into The Times’ collective rankings, too.

Guess we’ll see how much sway I have over them, huh?

I can’t blame anyone for not voting for the Centaurs earlier in the season. The reason I didn’t was because I’d discussed the team with Coach Tom Salter, and asked for his assessment of the Centaurs.

He said that, sure, the potential to be a top-25 team was there, but they’re probably not there yet.

But I waited and watched, and when I saw the Centaurs’ game against Crenshaw was a somewhat ragged and unspectacular, but workmanlike, 30-13 victory over the Cougars, I felt justified in my decision and pleased that Salter wouldn’t steer me wrong.

I’m changing my direction now, though. It’s time to get the Centaurs on course for The Times’ top 25.

- Lauren Peterson

-- Image by George Laase