It Looks Good For Samohi to Make Playoffs

By Mitch Chortkoff

Most likely, Santa Monica High will be going to the CIF football playoffs.

With their 52-32 road victory Friday night over Torrance, Samohi put itself into strong position for a berth. They may have already clinched one, but due to the uncertainty of developments in other leagues, like third place ties, this isn't a foregone conclusion. The safest path would be to win again Thursday night in a home game against South Torrance. Kickoff at Corsair Field is at 7 p.m.

Samohi has a 7-2 record, but both losses came in Ocean League play to first place Inglewood and second place North Torrance. Because the league has eight teams the CIF is likely to take four into the playoffs.

``If we get in as a third place we might have a first round game hundreds of miles away,'' said assistant coach Sam Anno. ``That happened with the St. Monica team this coaching staff had three seasons ago. It was quite an experience.

``We went to Rim of the World (Lake Arrowhead), stopped the bus at a park and had a walk-through, got back on the bus and rode some more then stopped at a restaurant and had pasta.

``We won the game and kept advancing in the playoffs. The championship game was in Santa Barbara and we again stopped the bus on the way for a walk-through.

``It's an experience you'll never forget as a player. It's a new season with higher stakes. These Samohi players haven't experienced it. I hope they get the opportunity.

``I played at USC and in the NFL, but some of my fondest memories are from my Samohi playing days. I'm trying to share my knowledge, my experiences, with these players.''

In Friday's win at Torrance quarterback James Cooper threw four touchdown passes, two each to Chris Gary and Terrell Maze. His ability to connect on long-distance throws was the difference in the game.

Samohi held a 19-17 lead late in the second quarter when Cooper and Maze hooked up on a 50-yard scoring pass. Torrance then drove downfield but missed a field goal as intermission arrived.

Samohi put the game away when Cooper hit Maze for a 25-yard touchdown early in the third quarter, making it 32-17.

Derrick Davis had touchdown runs of 55 and 20 yards and Samohi was ahead, 52-26 when Torrance scored in the game's final seconds.

Samohi came back from a loss to Inglewood the previous week. It also won the week after its earlier loss to North Torrance.

``We played a great offensive game,'' said head coach Norm Lacy. ``The kids were frustrated that we'd been unable to connect on our streak patterns all season

``We felt we could throw deep on Torrance and put in some new formations and a few new plays this week. Tebb Kusserow (assistant coach) did that and it worked.

``I applied some pressure in practice. I'm not easy to deal with when we lose.''

The Vikings have a new player who's helping out. Ricky Johnson was ineligible until two weeks ago. He regained his eligibility and played well in his second game back.

``He's a nice player. He will help us,'' said Lacy.