Varsity Football Kicks Off to Important League Games
The Alhambra varsity football team practices their new play, “gun right,” in preparation for their upcoming games against San Gabriel on Oct. 9 and Bell Gardens on Oct. 16.
MOOR photo by AAQIL KHAN
ALEXANDER LIN
MARK LORENZO
Staff Writers
The Alhambra Moors varsity football team has finished their preseason and will start league games with a current record of 2-3. In the preseason, the Moors defeated the Wilson Mules 41-25 and the Temple City Rams 34-21, but lost to the Western Pioneers, Rowland Raiders and South Pasadena Tigers.
One highlight game of the preseason was against the Temple City Rams on Sept. 11. The Moors were down 14 points at the beginning of the game, but then turned the tables with 34 points of their own and secured the win.
The second win of the preseason was against the Wilson Mules. This game was close until the fourth quarter with the score at 27-25, but the Moor’s offense was able to secure the victory with a 41-25 point game. Tailback Joe Santana was able to rush for a career-high 195 yards and two touchdowns.
“We took the preseason to help grow the football team, so we can prepare for league games. We feel good about where we are at,” Head Coach Eric Bergstrom said.
The five upcoming games in the current season will be league games. The Alhambra Moors will face the San Gabriel Matadors, Bell Garden Lancers, Mark Keppel Aztecs, Schurr Spartans and Montebello Oilers.
“It’s not the same because these games are more important. In these games, we have to win,” wide receiver and cornerback Matt Escobar said.
The Moors have worked hard through the preseason to prepare for these upcoming league games. To make CIF, the Alhambra Moors will have to win four league games.
“The onus is on us to perform at a level we are capable of,” said Coach Bergstrom.
The team is capable of performing at a higher level and will strive to make CIF according to Coach Jon Sarris.
“I think as a team we’ve grown and developed and put ourselves in a good position to compete for one of the top spots in the league,” Coach Sarris said.
The team’s first league game will be an away game against the San Gabriel Matadors on Oct. 9.