The South Hills High varsity football team has seen some big improvements this season with its new head coach Jacob Calderon. 

The huskies had an impressive win over Covina High school in their first home game of the season. This set the tone for the season since Covina High has been a cross town rival with a lot of former husky players.

“We felt like that [the Covina game] was a must win game. Because to prove a point, set a new standard, and to go out there and prove them wrong,” Tyler Lopez (12) said.

The football team had a lot of adversity this year, but one thing they had to overcome was injuries.

“We got the injury bug early. Coach had to move us around, come up with different schemes and put us in different positions. And obviously just buying into the program, being able to make a play. That’s what it came down to,” Lopez said.

Leaders of the team wanted the players to give it their all so they had to set the bar high and lead by example.

“As a leader, I believe you have to have a positive attitude, or positive energy. You want everyone to be at your level, so you have to keep a high level,” Andrew Morales (11) said.

According to the captains of the team, the team was determined to get everyone to believe in each other and work together to reach their goals. Kwame Horne said that the team really came together this year and they played as one unit.

“One word I would use to describe the season is teamwork,” Kwame Horne (12) said.

The team also focused on being disciplined and keeping a positive attitude.

“You know what, Coach Cal came in here and tried to establish a new culture. We have to be more disciplined. I think he did a good job of that,” Lopez said.