Redondo Banks on Defense, Visits West

A strong defense is a major reason for Sea Hawks’ optimism. Defense sparked Redondo’s 16-6 victory over Peninsula last Friday in the Bay League opener for both teams.

Redondo limited Peninsula to a little more than 100 yards in offense. The Sea Hawks also kept running back Okuoma Idah under wraps, holding him to just 53 yard rushing in 18 carries. Idah, considered one of the South Bay’s top runners, entered the contest averaging 134 yards rushing per game.

"Our whole defense was really physical and we were more physical than they were on the line," said Redondo senior linebacker Brandon Kim. "Our linebackers read really fast. We just contained them and kept them inside. We stopped them at the line of scrimmage."

Redondo (2-4, 1-0) will be relying on another solid effort from its defense when it visits West Torrance (4-2, 0-1) in a Bay League contest Friday at 7 p.m. West Torrance is coming off a 30-28 loss to Mira Costa in its league opener last Friday.

Unlike Peninsula, which relies heavily on its running game, West Torrance, which runs a no-huddle offense, likes to spread things with its passing attack. It presents a different challenge for Redondo.

"Our defense just has to stay really stout like we have been and be ready for whatever comes," said Redondo senior lineman Sam Ben-Amor. "We just have to come out live and hit them in the mouth."

That didn’t happen much in the Sea Hawks nonleague campaign. They got smacked around, losing four of their five outings and struggled on offense. But with the start of league play, the Sea Hawks have said they’re a rejuvenated bunch.

"We struggled a little bit, but we’re ready to play in the Bay League," Kim said. "We’ve improved a lot and we know what we’re doing. Everyone in the Bay League is good this year, but we’re ready for it."

"We had a very hard [nonleague], but we’re ready for Bay League," Ben-Amor said. "I’m ready for this game and I’m sure our whole defense is ready… As long as our offense performs, we should be fine."

The offense got a jolt last week when Ryan Spiwak, who had been limited to play on defense because of a hamstring injury, got some action at running back. Spiwak’s 38-yard touchdown late in the third quarter helped Redondo end a two-game losing streak. Spiwak finished with 57 yards on three carries.

Redondo also is hoping sophomore quarterback Harrison Faecher continues to progress. Faecher had one of his best efforts against Peninsula, connecting on 5 of 13 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. His first-quarter scoring pass to Christian Fernandez gave Redondo an early lead it never relinquished.

Faecher, who stepped into the starting role this season after Nick Pope transferred to Mater Dei, said he is seeing the field better and getting a better grasp on what defenses are throwing at him.

"The first game everything seemed really fast, but since then I’ve picked up the speed of the game," Faecher said. "I expected a little more speed, but I prepared myself for this level of competition."

It also doesn’t hurt to have Spiwak behind him.

"It’s great to have him back in the backfield again," Faecher said. "He’s a four-year varsity veteran and it’s nice to have someone who runs hard like him back there again. That definitely helps us."