Tough League Run Acclimates Young Moors

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VINCENT LIN
Sports Editor
Every season of high school sports is a continuation of the last and a preparation for the next, so for members of the varsity football team, their growth as players throughout the year has largely outweighed their finishing scores. Although they placed fifth in the Almont League standing, this season has revealed a glimpse of confidence and expansion for the future of the team.
The Moors led a four-game winning streak early on, but after a loss to Schurr, their loss of momentum landed them in a four-game losing streak by the end of the season. The Nov. 5 Homecoming game against San Gabriel was met with high expectations, but a lack of mental preparation took over to cripple the Moors’ blocking and tackling abilities. Alhambra lost 13-28 to the Matadors.
“We have a really young team that got too caught up in the excitement of Homecoming, instead of realizing how important the game was,” said senior running back Patrick Bruno.
The loss took Alhambra out of the running for the California Intercholastic Federation playoffs. Their disappointment carried over into their last game against Bell Gardens, which ended in a huge 20-52 loss for the Moors. They ultimately finished 1-4 in League and 4-6 overall.
However, returning the next Monday, the team was reinvigorated with great hopes of improvement for next year. Considering their youth, the bar will be raised as the players will be more familiar with each other and their plays. Head Coach Lou Torres expressed his intent in running next season’s team with more profundity.
“We spent this year being very basic because we were learning a new offense and defense. Next year we’ll become more complex and do a little more,” said Torres.
Only 13 seniors will be leaving the team this year, which has given many of the underclassmen valuable experience as starting players. Sophomore quarterback Joshua Mendoza will probably be the main passer for two more years, and this early start has put him in the spotlight for future commendation.
“He’s grown tremendously in this season to begin with. As next year goes on, he will have to continue to grow in his abilities, but he has a lot of natural ability,” said Torres.
With players moving up and a motivation to return as top league competitors, more elaborate strategies and changes in practice are palpable, as this fall has only been another start for the Moors.