POSTGAME ACTION

There was plenty of confusion and controversy at the conclusion of Culver City’s game at West Torrance on Friday when the Centaurs’ Stephan Mercier, a senior linebacker, blocked a 32-yard field goal attempt by West Torrance’s Jason Cary with four seconds left to preserve a 17-15 victory. But the ball was recovered on the three-yard line and run into the end zone by a West Torrance player and two officials signaled a touchdown. Later, the touchdown was nullified when it was determined that the blocked kick had traveled beyond the line of scrimmage and could not be advanced.

In the excitement, with the two teams enjoying victory at different moments and the field covered with people, some Culver City players expressed their feelings inappropriately in front of the West Torrance stands, according to Culver City Coach Robert Moore. When a Culver City assistant was retrieving the players, he encountered West Torrance Coach Kerry Crabb, who was irate over the actions of the Centaur players.

Moore indicated that one of the offending players, who had acted improperly on another occasion, had been removed from the team.

“Both teams were emotionally pretty high and some of my guys acted out of line,” Moore said. “And I’m tremendously sorry about what happened.

“I’ve made it very clear with the team that another instance would not be permitted,” Moore said. “I told them we’re here to play football and play it hard. And as for talking and getting into shouting matches, if that’s what they want to do, they’re in the wrong program.”

SEASON LOSS

During the second quarter of Hollywood’s 47-7 loss to Wilson, defensive back Ray Macias left the game with a bruised sternum. A medical examination later determined that the senior had suffered trauma to the chest area endangering his heart and will miss the remaining season, according to Hollywood Coach Bob O’Connor.

RUNNING WILD

Murphy Coach Greg Dixon knew he’d need all the help he could get in slowing down the Montclair running game and had to expect the worst when he started the week without junior tackle Maurice Mason, sidelined because of an ankle sprain, and senior tackle Henry Louiaza, out after slipping on a mopped floor at home. Wilbert Smith of Montclair Prep validated Dixon’s fears in rushing for 237 yards in 23 carries in a 54-20 win over the Nobles.

“We just had a hard day with Smith,” Dixon said. “Our interior was weak.”

WEIGHTY RESULTS

Venice co-coach Tony Chretin credits the offensive line for the success of the Gondolier running game.

In Friday’s victory over Fairfax, Robert Hayes scored on runs of 37 and 14 yards.

Center Greg Samarge, right guard Frank Ventura, right tackle Steve Samarge, left tackle Jose Jimenez and left guard Eric Patino, who alternates with sophomore Tony Fletcher, have worked hard in the off-season.

“They’ve really worked the weights hard,” Chretin said. “They’re all pressing in the high twos (hundred) and low threes.”

Senior running back Larry Atkins, who was averaging 125.3 yards rushing a game before injuring an ankle three weeks ago, has been doing light jogging and is expected back within the next two weeks, according to Chretin.

“Sometimes you can come back too soon and a little tweak can send you back to the sidelines,” he said. “We just want to be careful.”

EARLY EXIT

Running onto the field Friday for the first Santa Monica defensive series against St. John Bosco, senior nose guard Joey Araujo sprained a knee slipping on the grass and did not play.

“So we lose a starter before even getting into the game,” Coach Danny Escalera said.

Araujo was scheduled for a medical examination with a orthopedic specialist this week.

HIGH STEPPING

University’s game at Manual Arts on Friday will feature the top two running backs in the Metro League. Manual Arts’ Dartanyum Smith has scored four touchdowns in 50 carries for 409 yards and the Warriors’ Marco Pleas has 626 yards and nine touchdowns in 82 carries.

Pleas, a sophomore, doesn’t think of the game as an individual matchup. “It’s really a team game,” he said. “They’re one of the best teams we’ll play this year. We can’t take them lightly.”

HIGHLIGHT OR LOW LIGHT?

Phil Austin returned an interception 25 yards for St. Monica’s final touchdown in the Mariners’ 32-7 victory over St. Anthony on Friday. Austin, however, will be sidelined for four weeks because of a thigh injury when he was hit by a St. Anthony player after scoring the touchdown in the Camino Real League opener.

“We are coming together defensively, and losing him to injury concerns me,” St. Monica Coach Norm Lacy said about Austin.

WHO’S TO BLAME?

Hamilton Coach John Ausbon attributed part of his team’s Oct. 1 loss against Venice to officiating. Ausbon cited another culprit in the Yankees’ 34-10 loss to Westchester.

“We hurt ourselves,” Ausbon said. “We were in the game in the beginning and then we broke down.”

Nikia Smith scored on a 92-yard run on the opening kickoff for a 7-0 lead, but Westchester (5-0) scored on three of its next four possessions and Hamilton had three drives stall within the 20-yard line.

The Yankees have qualified for postseason play the last two seasons, but Hamilton’s two game losing streak has at least one fan upset. An anonymous letter was sent to Hamilton principal Nina Russo and athletic director Gloria Kalatzis calling for Ausbon’s resignation.

“We got into the playoffs and won the right games,” Ausbon said. “I’ve done a good job and done what previous coaches haven’t done. I’m not worried about getting fired.”

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

West Los Angeles Coach Rob Hager called the Oilers’ showing against Ventura on Saturday the worst of any team he has coached in four years at the school.

The Oilers missed three field goals and an extra-point attempt, lost two fumbles and had a pass intercepted.

“We really didn’t play, physically or mentally,” Hager said.

West L.A., however, managed to win the Western State Conference game, 24-7.

Keyshawn Johnson caught five passes for 114 yards, including touchdowns of 29 and 41 yards from Damon Williams, who passed for 139 yards and two touchdowns against Ventura.

“We played sloppy and won, but this is a critical game for us to see if we meet the challenge,” Hager said.

Santa Monica defeated visiting Santa Barbara, 31-21, Saturday to remain undefeated in 10 games between the schools.

Freshman Jorge Blanco, making his first start, completed 21 of 39 passes for 367 yards and four touchdowns. He was named community college player of the week by the J.C. Athletic Bureau.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Blanco was named the Western State Conference player of the week after coming off the bench to pass for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-20 victory over Glendale on Oct. 2.