Bruised and Battered but Rarely Beaten

Sucking it up. Gut check. Toughing it out.

Those expressions are commonly used by football coaches to describe when players overcome pain or fatigue to excel on the field.

Oftentimes the words are nothing more than cliches.

But at Hawthorne, they know the true meaning of perseverance.

Last season, the Cougars drew inspiration from running back-linebacker Tevita Moala, who played the last six games with a separated shoulder and helped lead his team to the Southern Section Division III title.

“I don’t think I’ll ever have another player like Tevita,” Coach Dan Robbins said.

Maybe not, but the Cougars have plenty of kids who would get on their knees and beg a doctor for permission to play with an injury. That desire to succeed has helped Hawthorne to a 23-3 record over the past two seasons. The Cougars (11-1) play host to Ventura Buena (9-3) in the Division III semifinals Friday night.

After senior Justin Stallings was sidelined because of a knee injury in the fifth game against Torrance, he predicted he would return in the eighth week against Peninsula, although some were skeptical. Wearing a knee brace, the standout wide receiver-safety helped Hawthorne beat the Panthers in a game that decided the Bay League title.

Nothing short of a doctor’s refusal was going to keep Stallings from playing that afternoon.

The same applies to linebacker Ka’vika Purcell, who returned to the team this week after missing the first two playoff games because of a broken right hand. What makes Purcell’s story unusual is that he broke his hand Oct. 29 against Peninsula and continued to play with the injury for two games.

It wasn’t until complications developed that Purcell finally went to the hospital. He will undergo surgery after the season, but does not risk further injury by playing, Robbins said.

“Nobody knew it was broken because (Purcell) never said anything,” Robbins said. “That’s the Samoan nature. He was going to walk around until his hand fell off.”

Purcell, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior who leads Hawthorne in tackles, apparently was more upset about having to miss the last two games than he was about any discomfort resulting from his injury.

“He’s really been down the last two weeks,” Robbins said. “He hates just sitting around.”

No one would blame Purcell if he decided to sit out the rest of the season. It is a broken hand, after all. But with his hand bandaged and padded, he will give it his best Friday night.

He wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Omarr Morgan is another Hawthorne player who has shown great perseverance, although not as the result of an injury.

Morgan did not become eligible last season until the playoffs, after he transferred from Gardena. While waiting to play, Morgan performed a valuable service by running Hawthorne’s scout offense in practice. He would assume the role of the opponent’s standout player, whether it was Peninsula tailback James Durroh or Inglewood quarterback Leandrew Childs.

“I think that’s why we were as successful as we were last season,” Robbins said. “We had an MVP-type player running the scout team.”

Morgan started at free safety in the playoffs and averaged more than 10 tackles in the Cougars’ four postseason games. He continued his impressive play this season and recently was named Bay League most valuable player.

A versatile athlete, Morgan has played all the positions in the defensive secondary, along with running back and wide receiver. He also leads Hawthorne in kick returns.

“He’s sort of helpful for us,” Robbins deadpanned.

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We’re not sure what Carson football Coach David Williams tells his team at halftime, but it’s working.

The Colts (8-4) have outscored their opponents, 65-0, in the third quarter. Last week, Carson outscored Garfield, 14-0, in the third quarter en route to a 61-14 victory in the City Section 4-A Division quarterfinals.

Asked to explain Carson’s domination after halftime, Williams was unaware his team had not given up a point in 12 third quarters.

“I didn’t know that until just now,” he said. “That’s good to know. We could use another (third-quarter shutout) this Friday.”

Carson travels to play top-seeded Sylmar (10-1-1) in the semifinals Friday, a rematch of last year’s championship game won by Sylmar, 17-0.

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Following are the finalists for The Times’ South Bay football awards, which will be announced Dec. 12 at the annual awards breakfast at the Guest Quarters Hotel in Santa Monica:

Back of the Year--San Pedro wide receiver-defensive back Bryan Castaneda, Redondo running back-defensive back Bob Cracknell, Peninsula tailback James Durroh, Hawthorne running back-wide receiver-defensive back Omarr Morgan and Carson wingback-defensive back Joseph Redmond.

Lineman of the Year--Hawthorne offensive tackle David Camacho, Mira Costa defensive tackle Phil Fonua, and two-way linemen Matt Jasik of El Segundo, Phillip McIlvain of San Pedro and John Welbourn of Peninsula.

Coach of the Year--Gary Kimbrell of Peninsula, Don Morrow of Mira Costa, Dan Robbins of Hawthorne, Mike Walsh of San Pedro and David Williams of Carson.

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Peninsula senior Keith Harter, a standout tight end and outside linebacker, had some kind words for Coach Kimbrell after last week’s 20-17 loss to Bell Gardens in the Division III quarterfinals.

“He’s inspired me since my freshman year,” Harter said. “He’s my football hero.”

Notes

Two St. Bernard baseball players have signed letters of intent with Division I colleges, Viking Coach Bob Yarnall said. Outfielder Dana Harrison, who Yarnall said is the fastest athlete in the school, signed with Cal State Long Beach, and second baseman Paul Lopez signed with the University of San Francisco. . . . Hawthorne Athletic Director Kye Courtney reports that the school has completed work on a $40,000 physical fitness center on campus that features state-of-the-art exercise equipment. The grand opening is tonight during Hawthorne’s open house.

Here are the local award winners in the area’s football leagues:

Bay League--Hawthorne running back-wide receiver-defensive back Omarr Morgan (most valuable player), Peninsula tailback James Durroh (offensive player of the year), Peninsula linebacker Tony Persichina (defensive player of the year).

Ocean League--Redondo running back Bob Cracknell (offensive player of the year), Culver City linebacker Chris Ellison (defensive player of the year).

Pioneer League--North Torrance quarterback Rocky Jackson (offensive player of the year), El Segundo lineman Matt Jasik and West Torrance safety Jim Yates (co-defensive player of the year).

Pacific League--Carson wingback Joseph Redmond (offensive player of the year).

Southern League--San Pedro wide receiver Bryan Castaneda (offensive player of the year), San Pedro safety Willie Birl (defensive player of the year).

Camino Real League--Serra linebacker Milford Kinnard (defensive player of the year).

South Bay Prep Football Top 10

Rank School Record Comment 1. Hawthorne 11-1 One win away from returning to final. 2. San Pedro 11-1 Has not given up a point in playoffs. 3. Carson 8-4 Looking to avenge ’92 loss to Sylmar. 4. Peninsula 10-2 Season ended again by Bell Gardens. 5. Mira Costa 10-1 Making first appearance in semifinals. 6. Banning 5-6 DB Whitfield led area in interceptions. 7. Leuzinger 5-6 DB Simmons reportedly headed to UCLA. 8. South Torrance 7-3-1 RB Tumale broke 1,000-yard mark. 9. North Torrance 5-6 QB Jackson led area in passing. 10. West Torrance 6-5 DB Yates was Pioneer defensive co-MVP.