Samo defeats Hawthorne, seniors’ season ends without playoff berth

Chase WohrleStaff WriterDespite Samo’s 50-8 win against Hawthorne, the Vikings reign in CIF playoffs has come to a close after losing a tiebreaker to Beverly Hills. Though disappointing, it was a fitting end to the high school careers of  the team’s 16 seniors.The night before facing Hawthorne, the stress of playing their last possible game affected some seniors more than others. Timmy Lozano reflected on the possibility of a loss.“I’m never going to relive these memories,” he said.On the other hand, senior Terrance Saheim saw it as just another game.“I’ve never been stressed over football,” he said. “In my last game, I’m going to work hard for everybody. I love everybody here.”Before the game began, seniors walked with their families down an aisle of cheerleaders and fellow teammates. The families locked arms and held flowers, providing a strong sense of unity. At the end of their walk, they were met by football coach Travis Clark. His smile stretched from ear to ear as he hugged his players, congratulating them for their hard work and dedication this season.With Senior Night rituals completed, the Vikings embarked on their final journey. The Vikings started off slow, allowing Hawthorne’s only touchdown and a two point conversion in the first quarter. With the Vikings’ 50-8 win, they ended the season at 6-4, going 3-2 in the Ocean League.After post-game handshakes with Hawthorne, Samo headed to its own huddle, where groups of players began to cry. The moment was bittersweet. “It feels good to get a big win on my last day, but it’s emotional though,” Blake Behling said. “It’s been a way of life for four years. It doesn’t matter what grade they’re in, you’re going to miss them no matter what.”The players finished their last game victorious, but they would never set foot on Corsair Field with the same group of boys that had become a family. “I’ve got to hold it in myself; I’ve been there,” Clark said. “It’s like a graduation into manhood — it’s a good thing. I look at all these kids and I see that they really love each other, and that’s special.”“I’m going to miss my team. I just love this sport, I don’t want to miss it,” Lozano said.cwohrle@thesamohi.com