Following over a decade of obscurity, the Wolves’ football team has finally earned a trip to the 2024 Division III California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) quarterfinals level of playoffs – an accomplishment unmet since 2012.
The 2012-2013 season ultimately ended in a 10-2 record, with the final game of the season ending in a Division II quarterfinal loss to Canoga Park High School with a score of 39-46.
This would send the team in a multi-year spiral. The Wolves’ would be brought down to Division III only two seasons later and would see little to no improvement for years to come.
After suffering from a lack of leadership and a years-long losing streak, the Wolves’ football team couldn’t get any worse. With coaches dropping like flies and players struggling to step into leadership positions, the school could only hope that the return to football following COVID-19 would include a more promising lineup– between both players and staff.
But the return seemed disheartening at best. The team won no games in their first season back from COVID-19.
Over time, however, they would flip it around. The formerly 0-9 team shocked fans by reaching a 7-4 record so-far this season and making it to quarterfinals– a complete 180, all within three seasons.
“We’re just different from all of these previous teams,” junior kicker Leelen Castro said. “We’re disciplined and we set standards for ourselves, which has helped us a lot.”
Junior middle linebacker Abraham Ceja, however, attributes this abrupt change to the team’s improvement in mentality.
“I would say our mindset and growth as a team is the biggest difference this season compared to previous years, along with just working together,” Ceja explained. “When we all work as a unit we’re able to perform at a higher level.”
Throughout the season, the team has learned to navigate the importance of building relationships with one another, also contributing to the success of their season.
“It feels like I’m part of the family,” Castro said. “Ever since I’ve joined, they’ve been my day ones and I’m proud to be with them. In the beginning of the season we were all kind of quiet. We weren’t really friends or on the same page, but now it feels like we’re leveled.”
Along with their improvement in communication and mentality, head coach Ken Osorio has also had a hand in the team’s development.
Osorio began his coaching career at Van Nuys High School in the 2023-2024 school year. Through being the new head coach, he led the team to Division III playoffs with an overall 4-7 season record. Unfortunately, the team lost in the first round of playoffs to Chavez High School with a score of 14-55.
Motivated by their love for the sport and connection to the school, the Wolves’ football coaches have committed to leading the team to a well-deserved championship.
“It’s been a team effort with all the coaches,” Osorio said. “I think we have one of the best coaching staffs I’ve been a part of. Having so many coaches be alumni means that the success of the team means a lot to them and it’s a personal effort, so it really helps us out.”
Through his coaching experience, Osorio has observed the evolution of his team.
“The growth is there,” Osorio said. “They’re more receptive to what we’re trying to do, understanding of the process and trusting it, which is the key to our success. When we look at the team as a whole, we want to make sure that we get better and better.”
This growth has allowed the team to navigate easily through games they did not win.
“We don’t really drag on it too much when we lose,” Castro said. “We would keep our heads up, play better the next game and show up to more practices.”
The evolution led by Osorio has ultimately led the team to reach quarterfinals.
“I’m very happy for the team, but it’s almost an expectation for all the hard work they’ve put in,” Osorio explained. “They deserve to be here. They’ve had to earn every single part of every game, every point, every tackle. It hasn’t come free, so the sacrifice that the kids and coaches have made is really what brought us here.”
The team is overall proud of their accomplishments and hopes to make the most out of the remainder of the season.
“I feel great to be part of this team and I’m proud of the differences we are making for the school itself,” junior quarterback Carlos Herrera added. “Putting it back out there is big. The goal in the beginning was to make it to playoffs and championships and that’s where we’re heading right now.”
