Gridders strive for win, vie for spot in playoffs
by Raylene Guzman
photo taken by Kia Harlan
Striving for spot in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) playoffs, varsity gridders will play the Bell Gardens Lancers tonight at 7 p.m.
After claiming victory during the Homecoming game against the San Gabriel Matadors, 42-33, Oct. 19, they are preparing to finish their league season strong in their next game. Seniors on the team recognized for the game as they walked onto the field.
If the gridders do well in tonight’s game, and the Oilers win against San Gabriel, the Spartans will go to playoffs tied for first place with Montebello. If the Lancers beat the Spartans, the Spartans will clinch a playoff spot in second or third place. If Montebello loses to San Gabriel, the winner between the Spartans and Lancers takes first place in the Almont League. Playoff brackets will not be determined until early November.
“It feels as if this season is going by rough right now, especially due to our loss to the Montebello Oilers. However, I am confident that we shall overcome this rough patch and continue to improve. Week by week.” said senior Anthony Covina, linebacker.
The “rough patch” cane when the Spartans fell to the Montebello Oilers at home, Oct. 13, 27-23. Throughout the first half of the game on Oct. 12, they led with both strong defense and offensive. However, due to weather conditions the second half of the game was postponed until the following day. There, the Spartans defense fell short.
“As of now, I feel good about our on going season, and the reason being is that I believed we have worked incredibly hard to get to where we are now. We have accomplished so very much from the time we started to now, and we continue to until the end of this season.” said senior Jeremiah Hartfield, wide receiver.
The gridders won an Oct. 5 game against the Mark Keppel Aztecs, 65-0, at home. The Spartans were also victorious over the Alhambra Moors, 27-23, in an away game Aug. 28.
“I feel really good about our season, we have improved every game and we are in the position to compete for a League Championship tonight.” said David Ramos, head coach. “And like all games we’ve played this year I’m not too concerned about our opponent but rather I’m concerned with our own kids. They’ve set aside distractions and focused, so I will be okay with however our game ends tonight.”