Written by Samantha Reed, Staff Writer
Even in defeat, Poly’s Varsity Football team kept fighting and found moments to rally and fight back together.
In both the JV and varsity football rivalry football games against Martin Luther King High School, the teams fought their hardest. The bears went into this game knowing that it would be tough, but did not back down from the challenge that faced them. Going against the Wolves helmet to helmet, they refused to go down without a fight and amazing plays throughout the games.
Starting with our junior varsity team, they went into the game knowing that they were going to play the best that they could, no matter what the outcome would be, and they did just that. Junior Nathan Fonseca states that when things got tough and did not go the way they wanted them to, “the team supported each other out there well. After all, we are one big family and everyone has played with each other already before.” It is obvious just how much chemistry all the players have together, and that is pivotal in their success on the field.
Sophomore, Mark Douglas stated that “the team always just tried telling each other to keep their heads up and focus on the next play,” when facing their tough opponents. It was obvious when watching the bears take on their biggest opponents, that there was zero hesitation when making a play within the team and coaches. The bears truly did give it their all. “The team showed that they won’t give up, even when it gets hard,” Douglas states when asked what showed determination and closeness within the team.
In addition, the Varsity football team did not get the outcome they hoped for against Martin Luther King High School, but the players reflected on the game with honesty and determination. While the scoreboard wasn’t in Riverside Poly’s favor, the team emphasized effort, accountability, and the importance of learning from the experience.
Junior Zeke Gutierrez, #10, reflected on the night as a reality check, but also a chance to grow. He admitted the game was sloppy, even for him, but said it served as the “punch in the mouth” the team needed with league play right around the corner. What stood out most to Zeke was how invested the team is in changing the culture, playing not only for each other, but for the school and the community. As he put: “PRIDE man, simple as that.” He emphasized that practices now focus on accountability and communication, and he’s especially excited for the Ramona game, which he called a thriller. His personal goal is to impact the field on every snap by giving his best effort and helping his team “punch first and keep punching.”
Junior Kevin Carr, # 71, highlighted the resilience the team showed, even during tough moments. He said he was proud of how the players “pushed each other to not give up” even though the outcome is not what they hoped for. He credited the defensive line for “bringing the energy up with their big plays” and noted how teammates worked to calm each other down when mistakes happened, making sure to not allow their “emotions dictate their actions.” Kevin also called out the relentless effort of Nicko, who continued to give 100 percent no matter what. Most importantly Kevin felt the group accepted responsibility as a whole, recognizing “there wasn’t one soul person to blame and they took accountability for their mistakes.”
Despite the challenges the team faced during the rivalry game against Martin Luther King High School, the varsity football team will not let it hold them back from conquering future wins. The bears have expressed their hopes for the future and how they look forward to the rest of the season playing with their friends. Riverside Poly high school looks towards a bright future as the football team can get back on their feet and continue to fight toward CIF. Come root the Bears on as they play Ramona High School at RCC on Friday, September 19 at 7:00 pm. Go Bears!