Norwalk’s Rashaad Penny is wrapping up prep career in style

His name is Rashaad Penny, and lots of students at Norwalk High will remember him for years to come.

“He’s just a phenomenal athlete,� Coach Jesse Ceniceros said. “He separates himself the moment he steps on the field.�

Penny, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound senior running back, has rushed for 2,380 yards and 39 touchdowns in leading Norwalk to a 13-0 record and a spot in the Southern Section Southeast Division championship game against Whittier La Serna.

In his latest performance, Penny rushed for 321 yards and five touchdowns in Norwalk’s 35-28 victory over Pasadena Muir on Friday. Among his touchdowns were runs of 92, 79 and 65 yards.

He has scholarship offers from Washington, Fresno State and Boise State, among others. Norwalk runs the double-wing formation.

What are the odds?

In one of the strangest coincidences of the sports season, Corona Centennial’s football and basketball teams each won games Friday night by the identical score of 86-56.

“What’s the chances of that happening?� quarterback Robert Webber said.

The football team knocked off Upland in an Inland Division semifinal game. The basketball team defeated Fresno Central in a tournament game.

Tre Watson rushed for a school-record 519 yards and scored six touchdowns. The Huskies had more than 900 yards. Upland junior quarterback Tyler Hilinski passed for 429 yards and seven touchdowns.

Centennial (11-2) will play host to Vista Murrieta (12-1) for the Inland championship on Friday.

Gauchos romp in the mud

Harbor City Narbonne is one victory away from its third consecutive City Section Division I championship after a 40-12 semifinal victory over Carson. The Gauchos proved they are mudders. Running back Larry Seuga powered his way for 149 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the mud.

But it will be a much tougher challenge on East Los Angeles College’s all-weather surface Friday night for a showdown final with Crenshaw, which lost to the Gauchos, 25-0, in last year’s final.

Suffering a key injury

Gardena Serra (13-0) might have to play West Hills Chaminade (11-2) in the Western Division final without standout Adoree’ Jackson, who tried but couldn’t play in Friday’s 22-14 victory over La Cañada St. Francis because of an ankle injury. The ankle was in a cast all week.

That’s quite a catch

Matt Byer of Oak Park ended the season with 100 receptions for 1,959 yards and 30 touchdowns, a Southern Section record. In the team’s 59-40 loss to El Segundo, he caught 14 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns.

Long drought is over

The last time Huntington Beach defeated crosstown rival Edison in football, future NFL tight end Tony Gonzalez was playing both ways for the Oilers in 1993. On Friday, Huntington Beach defeated the Chargers, 28-21, to advance to the Southwest Division final against Newport Harbor.

[email protected]