Sporting Ray-Ban sun shades, a Tommy Hilfiger swimsuit, Kenneth Cole loafers and a inexperienced tie, coach Elijah Asante got here dressed for achievement on Thursday evening for the primary recreation on L.A. Hamilton Excessive’s new grass subject. He couldn’t schedule No. 1-ranked Mater Dei as a result of one in every of its opponents declined to maneuver a recreation date, however No. 8 Gardena Serra wasn’t a foul different.
Asante stored insisting his crew, coming off a 2-9 season, would pull off a shock in opposition to the Cavaliers.
“Cassius Clay beat Sonny Liston. Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson. Villanova beat Georgetown,” he mentioned referring to sports activities upsets in boxing and school basketball.
An amused Serra coach Scott Altenberg noticed Asante scout his scrimmage in opposition to Servite, noticed him on the sideline for the Cavaliers’ shutout win over Palos Verdes final week and welcomed any problem the Yankees might provide.
There wasn’t a lot pushback. Serra’s protection, led by its tremendous quick secondary, standout lineman Khary Wilder and onerous hitting DeVohn Moutra Jr., dominated from begin to end in a 47-0 rout of the Yankees. It was 33-0 at halftime, and extremely regarded freshman quarterback Thaddeus Breaux of Hamilton was getting a lesson in what enjoying a Southern Part Division 1 opponent seems to be like.
Breaux started the sport with a 21-yard move play, the primary of what’s going to be many completions in his highschool profession. However there have been few alternatives after that. He completed the primary half 10-of-21 passing for 58 yards and completed 18 of 32 for 111 yards. Serra (2-0) had an excessive amount of velocity and too many weapons on protection to permit Breaux any freedom to make use of his robust arm. Serra’s hasn’t allowed any factors in two video games.
In the meantime, the Cavaliers did what they needed on offense, helped by Hamilton’s refusal to punt on fourth down. Operating again Jayshawn Edwards ran for 2 touchdowns, Duvay Williams caught a landing move from Nicolas Johnson and Ryan Bose had a 39-yard landing reception.
It’s clear after solely two video games, Serra is on a collision course to face Sierra Canyon in an Oct. 3 recreation that probably will determine the Mission League title. In Ohio State-bound Wilder, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior, Serra has a participant that one blocker alone won’t be able to deal with.
Hamilton freshman quarterback Thaddeus Breaux.
(Craig Weston)
“He’s tough to block,” Altenberg mentioned. “He’s getting stronger and faster. We can’t block him in practice at all. It’s useless.”
Wilder is Serra’s finest defensive lineman since Rasheem Inexperienced, who just lately retired from the NFL. It additionally helps to have a bunch of defensive backs pretty much as good because it will get, from Wesley Ace to Williams. And Moutra is sort of a heat-seeking missile when he launches towards the ballcarrier.
“Wilder and Moutra have been amazing,” Altenberg mentioned.
Wilder refused to be glad within the offseason regardless of gaining accolades from school recruiters.
“I’ve just been dedicated to getting better,” Wilder mentioned. “I feel this whole offseason I’ve had a chip on my shoulder to dominate.”
Earlier than the sport, Hamilton gamers had been handled to a spaghetti and toasted sourdough bread dinner created by the mom of 285-pound deal with Micah Butler, Natasha, an govt chef. Sporting fits and inexperienced ties, the gamers had been following the edict of their coach to behave stylish and be grateful and well mannered.
Hamilton deal with Micah Butler along with his mom, Natasha, an govt chef who helped put collectively the Yankees’ pregame meal.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
The beginning time was delayed by 40 minutes as a result of officers arrived late having to do double responsibility with a day recreation. Subsequent up for Hamilton is a matchup with Crenshaw. Serra faces 3-0 Los Alamitos.
Hamilton coach Elijah Asante poses subsequent to campus mural of Corridor of Fame quarterback Warren Moon.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Occasions)
