West Torrance tries to join the playoff hunt

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Injuries have left West Torrance, a Southern Section Western Division finalist last year, hurting for late-season victories in order to keep alive a chance to even make the playoffs this time around.

The Warriors (6-2-1, 1-2-1) need a victory in their Bay League game Friday against visiting Leuzinger (6-3, 2-2), and standout senior running back Brian Baucham plans to be ready, his tender right ankle notwithstanding.

West Torrance and Leuzinger finished 1-2 in the league last season, but are in the middle of the mix this year.

Baucham, whose playing time has been limited in recent weeks, first by a bruised right shin and then the wobbly ankle, scored two touchdowns last week. He hopes that it is a sign of things to come against Leuzinger in the regular-season finale on Senior Night at West Torrance.

‘We’re pumped,’ he said. ‘We’ve had a lot of injuries, but a lot of our guys came back last week, and we were really glad to see that.’

A healthier lineup hashed out a 23-0 victory over Peninsula that snapped a three-game winless streak after the Warriors had opened the season with five consecutive victories.

‘We were really happy we came together, and that we showed off a little of what we can do,’ said Baucham, who played less than half the game against the Panthers because his ankle was still tender.

The foot remains sore and has swelled up at times this week, but Baucham wants to give it another go and thinks it’s important that he does.

‘I don’t want to worry about nothing,’ he said. ‘I’m trying to be positive because we have to win. Basically, that’s how it is for us.’

-- Lauren Peterson

-- Image by Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times