The 2024 season has been a rollercoaster for the Wolfpack varsity football team. After beginning the toughest part of their season with one win and three losses, it seemed that things could only get better, and that’s exactly what happened. Since their week four loss to Roybal, the Wolfpack have won four of their last five games while outscoring their opponents by a combined 88 points. This has brought them to a record of five wins and four losses in the season, heading into their next game at Torres.
With a team that recorded one win and nine losses last season, they have seen significant improvement since. Perhaps their growth can be attributed to their team’s bettered chemistry. “The bond and love we got for each other. Competing with some good teams in the summer and having each other’s back helped strengthen our bonds,” Domenic Angulo, a junior quarterback, said.
Increased focus during practices has also contributed to their success. “Last year, most of our practices we would just be messing around and not getting as much work done. This season, every day we’re putting more work in, looking for any improvements necessary,” Xavier Guerrero, a junior kicker and defensive tackle, said. Improved team chemistry and better discipline have made positive impacts, as statistics show, the Wolfpack have gone from averaging 8.9 points per game last year to averaging 26.1 points per game this season.
The season has not been without its challenges though, as the team has dealt with injuries for the majority of the year. “When you get injured, you don’t want to let your team down by leaving a game. It’s up to you to be mentally tough and play through these challenges,” Jonathan Nunez, a junior wide receiver and defensive back, said. Despite battling injury throughout the season, Nunez is second on the team in interceptions with two.
Despite the adversity, the Wolfpack are finally heading back to the playoffs for the first time in two seasons. “We are feeling amazing going into playoffs. It’s an environment we haven’t played in since the 2022-2023 season and we all know the importance of it to not only us but to all of the parents and coaches,” Anthony Gonzalez, a senior running back and strong safety, said. The last time the Wolfpack won a playoff football game was during the 2021 season against Bell High School. Looking to end the three-year drought, there is a lot of hope going into this year’s playoffs.
