football

Now that the chapter has closed on the Arcadia varsity football team of 09-10, it is safe to step back and take a hard, objective look at the facts of the season: True, games were lost and what lessons could be garnered from the gridiron were taken to heart—but amidst their trials and misfortunes, the Apache varsity football team managed to claim for themselves a number of brilliant, honest victories.
On Oct. 30, the day before Halloween, our football team squared off against Burbank and battled till the very end but, unfortunately, fell short of a win with a final score of 27-33.
The team then channeled its frustrations of losing its Homecoming Game and made it fuel for their effort against Hoover on Nov. 6, when they decisively stamped out the Hoover Tornadoes in a 42-28 win. When asked how they achieved this impressive margin of victory, senior Garrett Tuck explained, “We played well against a not very talented Hoover. Overall it was a good game for us.” Senior Philip He provided the specifics when he added, “We just ran the ball and passed against them fairly well. Taylor was able to catch three touchdowns, and David Maldonado came up with two rushing touchdowns and then a screen pass for a touchdown.”
The Apaches, however, turned up short on Nov. 12 in their game against Crescenta Valley, in which they lost 42-13. However, the game was not without its redeeming moments. According to senior Philip He, “it was close for the first half, and the best part was when David Schuil intercepted a pass and gave us great field position where we were able to score on a pass from Garrett Tuck to Robby Haines.” He then added, “Unfortunately, we couldn't stop Crescenta Valley’s run game because after David's interception, he was out for the rest of the game with a shoulder injury. He's the leader of our defense and our defense could not handle the run game.”
“For one reason or another it wasn't happening this year,” said Coach Dimalante when he gave his honest assessment of the season gone. But, “Like Mike Ditka said, `You're not a loser until you quit trying,' and these kids never quit trying. I love my kids and I'm proud of them.”
And despite the disappointments and a final league score of 2-5 and overall score of 2-7-1, this year’s varsity football team remains optimistic about the fruits of their labor. The team may not have made it to CIF this year, but senior Philip He reflected, “Even though we had high expectations, I’m not disappointed. I feel that this season was part of the building process for the football program. In the next few years my teammates will come back successful and stronger with the experience.”

Now that the chapter has closed on the Arcadia Varsity Football team of 09-10, it is safe to step back and take a hard, objective look at the facts of the season: True, games were lost and what lessons could be garnered from the gridiron were taken to heart—but amidst their trials and misfortunes, the Apache Varsity Football team managed to claim for themselves a number of brilliant, honest victories.
On Oct. 30, the day before Halloween, our football team squared off against Burbank and battled till the very end but, unfortunately, fell short of a win with a final score of 27-33. The backdrop of Homecoming fireworks and ceremony stood in a stark, almost cruel contrast to the reality of the team’s valiant effort.
The Apaches then channeled their frustrations of losing their Homecoming Game and made it fuel for their effort against Hoover on Nov. 6, when they decisively stamped out the Hoover Tornadoes in a 42-28 win. When asked how they achieved this impressive margin of victory, senior Garrett Tuck explained, “We played well against a not very talented Hoover. Overall it was a good game for us.” Senior Philip He provided the specifics when he added, “We just ran the ball and passed against them fairly well. Taylor was able to catch three touchdowns, and David Maldonado came up with two rushing touchdowns and then a screen pass for a touchdown.”
The team, however, turned up short on Nov. 12 in their game against Crescenta Valley, in which they lost 42-13. However, the game was not without its redeeming moments. According to senior Philip He, “it was close for the first half, and the best part was when David Schuil intercepted a pass and gave us great field position where we were able to score on a pass from Garrett Tuck to Robby Haines.” He then added, “Unfortunately, we couldn't stop Crescenta Valley’s run game because after David's interception, he was out for the rest of the game with a shoulder injury. He's the leader of our defense and our defense could not handle the run game.”
“For one reason or another it wasn't happening this year,” said Coach Dimalante when he gave his honest assessment of the season gone. But, “Like Mike Ditka said, `You're not a loser until you quit trying,' and these kids never quit trying. I love my kids and I'm proud of them.” As for his seniors, “I think the world of them. I was proud to be their coach. They will always be a part of our football program's success in the future.”
Senior Garrett Tuck captured the season’s sentiment of frustration mixed with hope when he said, “It was a struggle for us because we weren't winning and were always a play or call away from winning. We never gave up and continued to work hard during practices and games throughout the whole season.”
And despite the disappointments and a final league score of 2-5 and overall score of 2-7-1, this year’s Varsity Football team remains optimistic about the fruits of its labor. The team may not have made it to CIF this year, but as Coach Dimalante reflected, “The outlook for next year’s team is very good. We played many underclassmen this year who gained valuable experience.” Senior Philip He concurred, “Even though we had high expectations, I’m not disappointed. I feel that this season was part of the building process for the football program. In the next few years my teammates will come back successful and stronger with the experience.”