A group of students, coming together as a team for our school: the Rancho Dominguez Preparatory School football team. Every fall the football team goes out there and plays different schools all across LA. Whether here at school campus, or on opposing fields, they always strive to win, to play the sport they love and hopefully win against everyone.
The Lobos team is always celebrated by its cheer team and band, who try to bring light to the game whether we are winning or losing. There are concessions, and bleachers for free roam seating. Here at Rancho we have the field and track where we will always play at home games, from September to October.
Our Lobos team sits at a 2-6 record, and are 3rd in their division, only behind Jordan and Hawkins. We started slow, losing games to Glenn, Firebaugh, and University. But we continued on and got our first win here at home against Roybal, 34-19. However they did lose some more games notably against Jordan, Grace, and Diego Rivera, but recently beat View Park 15-8. The season still has two more games, against Hawkins and Locke, but by winning there is still a chance to make the playoffs by division record.
At 2-6 we as a group have to win out the next two, and to really secure a better spot, beat Hawkins for 2nd place in the division. These next games might be tough, but there is still a chance we can upset Hawkins, and take out Locke.
The Lobos team, like in most schools, is a high school only sport with how physical the games can get. Frustration and hope are running through our staff, coaches, and players, all needing more wins.
Jeremiah White, 12th grader, said, “I have been playing for two years. It’s exciting and competitive, seeing us win. I think the season is pretty bad, but it is exciting.”
Even though he’s been playing for two years, White still has things he can improve.
“I think we can work on blocking and tackling, but I think I’m pretty good at tackling. I need to break down more before I tackle, my gather step and my pass coverage,” White said.
Armod Newsome, 12th grader, said, “I played flag football for three years and after two years of high school I played football for one year. I like the contact and the touchdown.”
Just like White, he also has things to get better at.
“I can improve in my tackling, accuracy, hitting, and mentality,” Newsome said.
The team’s season being slow always could make a player upset, needing improvement and needing wins. More student athletes could feel like this.
Dillon Clide, 12th grader, said, “I’ve been playing for six years. Football is fun and you can take your anger out on the field and your team becomes your family.”
Football, despite being seen as an aggressive sport, can also help you forge close friendships.
“The season started on a really bad note but I hope we can turn it around by winning these next games. I gotta push my teammates harder,” Clide said.
Noe Verduzco, 12th grader, said, “This is my second year. It’s cool, the people, the team.”
Just like Clide, Verduzco also sees the team as close.
Elijah Mendoza, 10th grader, said, “This is my second year. I like it when I spend time with my team and we have fun and learn when we lose.”
Mendoza sees the losses as an opportunity, and is optimistic about the rest of the season.
“The season isn’t good or bad because we have won only one game,” Mendoza said.
And just like some of his other teammates, Mendoza also sees the ways he can improve.
“I can improve on my kicking and punts as well as returns. I can improve on my footwork but I can tell I need to work on it,” Mendoza said.
The Rancho Dominguez Preparatory Lobos need two more wins to set them up for more games against other schools: one more home game, and one more away game. We sure do hope we can win out and make the playoffs.
