Quarterback shines as University City tops West Hills

by Breven Honda

University City High School senior Quentyn DeMara has been a fixture in the Centurions offense after throwing for 2,856 yards and 36 TDs last year.

After throwing for 274 yards last week in a 55-20 victory over Temecula’s Rancho Christian, the senior quarterback was on point once again Friday night, completing 18-of-26 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns with an interception for a 35-7 home victory against West Hills.

“He makes plays. He understands the game, and some things were out of his control, but he makes things happen,” Centurions coach Paul Lawrence said of DeMara, who also had seven carries for 57 yards and a touchdown, totaling 305 yards and four scores. “Once he controlled the game, and we had a balance of run and pass, that put us in a good spot.”

With 85 seconds left in the first half, DeMara completed all five of his passes, capped off by throwing a 25-yard touchdown to the end zone as the clock expired.

With seven seconds left, he took the snap and scrambled left, avoiding a couple of Wolfpack linemen. He then threw it down the field to his brother, sophomore Desmond DeMara, who was able to snatch it, despite two defenders around him, giving University City a 21-7 lead going into the third quarter.

“I enjoy playing with my little brother,” Quentyn DeMara said. “He’s a pain in my butt, but I love him to death, I swear to God. He’s a good football player. Going out there and being able to pull off that two-minute drill is a testament to the team and the heart that we have.”

As Quentyn DeMara and the Centurions offense was rolling, so was the defense.

Overall, University City recorded three turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception.

“Those were big. If they scored down there, now the game’s closer and they keep inching closer,” Lawrence said of the defense, who recovered one of its two fumbles in the end zone early in the fourth quarter. “Those turnovers are very big. Kudos to the defense for doing a great job.”

The first turnover of the night came from Centurions senior Quinn Obrigewitch. West Hills quarterback Evin Dill’s pass was batted into the air and Obrigewitch snagged it to give Quentyn DeMara and the offense some motivation in the opening quarter.

After the pick, QB DeMara completed 5-of-6 passes on the ensuing drive before running back DeShaun Hille ran it in from five yards out, giving University City an early 7-0 lead.

“The big dude interception,” Quentyn DeMara said of Obrigewitch’s turnover. “I feel like that was a real momentum play that changed the course of the game right there. Quinn’s a dog, and I’m excited to play with him.”

The Centurions defense limited the Wolfpack offense to just 137 yards.

West Hills (0-2), who lost some starters last week in their opener against Holtville, was led by Dill, who recorded the team’s lone touchdown, a 22-yard run with 1:25 left in the second quarter.

Next Friday, the Centurions (2-0) remain home to face Bonita Vista while the Wolf Pack travel to Mira Mesa for its second of three straight away from Santee.