The three teams most likely to contend for the Ocean League football championship this season have new head coaches.
Travis Clark at Santa Monica High and Jahmal Wright at Culver City have impressive credentials. Both were assistants for championship coaches — Norm Lacy at both Samohi and St. Monica and Tom Salter at Culver City.
Beverly Hills hasn’t selected its coach yet. Carter Paysinger recently became an administrator at the school and the coaching job was posted.
Which new head coach will make the transition the fastest? The one who does may be the one who gets a league championship in his first season.
In the summer Clark concentrated on installing his system while Wright favored passing league tournaments.
Clark said he learned from Lacy that the summer should be used to work with his players. But Wright said the Culver City quarterback and his receivers benefitted from playing high-caliber opponents in the summer competition in which tackling isn’t permitted.
Said Culver City receiver Delvin Sylvester” “I don’t think we can be stopped.”
Culver City has a deep and experienced receiving corps for returning quarterback Marquel Carter.
Santa Monica quarterback Garrett Safron was also a starter last season.
Beverly Hills defeated Santa Monica last season but lost to Culver City. All three teams qualified for the CIF playoffs.
Inglewood was also formidable last season, but star receiver Shaquille Evans has moved on to Notre Dame.
