If not for one meaningless regular season finale, Inglewood high school football team would be receiving their just due respect this week when it plays host 7-2 Bishop Alemany in the semifinals for a right to advance to the Division 2 CIF-Southern Section Championship.
Hate fueled rhetoric aimed at the undefeated Sentinels (10-0) did not distract brilliant head coach Mil’Von James and his talented squad as they maintained focus that led to the challenge against Alemany team that has won six consecutive and boast a monstrous running game.
“This will be a much tougher test than any team we have faced this year because of their running game and overall athleticism,” James explained to Inglewood Today. “It is going to be a challenge for sure.”
Those running backs Floyd Chalk and Jaylen Thompson have the luxury of operating their a laser attack behind a behemoth offensive line that could be an issue for the Sentinels depth.
“If I had 60-90 players to work with regardless of talent, we would be on another level,” James added.
While UCLA bound signal caller Justyn Martin receives much of the attention, the one ultra dominant player that Inglewood has relied upon most is dual threat defensive/ offensive stud Tarriq Al-uqdah who is committed to Washington but playing like he is aiming for bigger things down the road.
Al-uqdah has scored four touchdowns in the two playoff games including a game breaking 99 yard run against Huntington Beach Edison last week, a sea-saw affair Inglewood survived 22-16.
Receiver Louis Brown caught a 51 yard TD pass from Martin but Inglewood posed its will on defense and that was the difference.
Inglewood will play the game for the second consecutive week at Coleman Stadium at 7p.m. on Nov. 18 for the right to play for it all next week against the Orange Lutheran (8-4) vs. Sierra Canyon (7-4) winner.
