Tackling the new season
Matilde Martinez-Navarrete, Staff Writer
Samo football is finally back after a year of distance learning. During their time away, the football team met through Zoom to learn tactics and strategies, as well as hold virtual workouts. They were able to sneak in a quick season in spring, but it came with a cost. With no adequate practices and an incomplete roster because of the COVID-19 peak in December, the season ended 0-3 for Samo.
“It was a tough, quick season for us because we had several kids opt out, and our players didn’t have enough time to really train… we had several injuries to an already young team which forced us to cut the season short,” Matthew Kirk, varsity football coach, said.
Kirk realizes now that he shouldn’t have rushed the training, and ensures he won’t make the same mistake twice. He’s a lot more confident coming into this season after the team has had the chance to train together again.
“The team this season is in much better shape, and, although we are young and have struggled,
we are in football shape… This season we hope to qualify for the CIF playoffs by winning at least three games in the Bay League, which is not going to be easy,” Kirk said.
Kirk praises the team’s weekly improvement, and hopes his players will fight for a victory in every match. Though the varsity team hasn’t yet had the home field advantage because of COVID-19 exposures on both their and opposing rosters, the next home game is scheduled for Oct. 29 at seven p.m., against Culver City High School. Go Vikings!
Vaughan Yelks / Contributor