Samo football looks to build off of last season’s momentum
During Samo’s historic run last season, the Vikings were stopped short in the CIF Southern Sectional championship, ending in a 27-29 loss to Rio Hondo Prep. Samo finished with a 9-5 record in the 23-24 season, which put them at 5th in the Bay League. Going into this upcoming season, the team looks to build off last season’s success in a new league, Pioneer League.
This year’s new captains, Wyatt Brown (’26), Charles Cravings (’25), Samuel Reynoso (’25), Jeremy Guerrero (’25) and Ezra Klein (’25) are working hard to regain the team's winning streak along with improving the upcoming players on this years roster. Captain Wyatt Brown talks about his goals for the 24-25 season.
“As a team, getting back to the championship and winning it this time. We have a good team but whatever happens it’s just to make it to the championship, break records, build chemistry and help our guys to the next level,” Brown said.
With the loss of 11 starters last season, Head Coach Carter Paysinger highlights players who have shown much improvement and promising efforts to help the Vikings work back to earn a spot in the CIF Playoffs again this season.
“Extraordinary players like Jackson Nelson (’26) have been playing well so far for us this season as he joined from Campbell Hall. Manny Lares (’25), Giovanni Crabtree (’25), these guys who didn’t play much on the field last year have stepped into major roles this year while doing pretty well,” Paysinger said.
Additionally, Coach Paysinger also shares his goals for the 24-25 season.
“My personal goals are the same every year, helping all of our guys learn life skills and get better. Time management, discipline, responsibility, all those things. The better we get at executing those life skills the better we become as a team,” Paysinger said.
The Viking’s started this season with an on-the-road 26-0 win against Chino Hills High School on Aug. 23. On Aug. 30, Samo played in their first home game against Laguna Beach which resulted in a 21-9 loss. On Sept. 6, the Vikings took a 30-6 loss against West Torrance. In their next home game on Sept. 13, Samo faced Sylmar which ended in a 41-6 win. This past Friday, the Vikings played against Hueneme and continued their one game winning streak with a 46-12 win, improving their record to 3-2. The Viking’s will continue playing on the field in their next home game on Oct. 18, against Redondo Union.
David Hunzinger / Contributor
[From left to right] Ashtin Derrick ('26), Nicky Gonzales ('25), Isaiah Fernandez ('26), Chris Tompkins ('25), Samuel Raynon ('25), Charles Cravings ('25), Jeremy Guerrero ('25), run out onto the field before game against West Torrance.
David Hunzinger / Contributor
Jackson Nelson ('26) makes a spectacular catch looking for the end zone after a long drive vs Laguna Beach.