By Ryan Nakamura
Staff Writer
Photo by Matt Scholtz
The South Pasadena football team is starting off a brand new year with a reinvigorated team and coach for the 2015-16 season.
“We really put in a lot of work in drills, plays, and conditioning,” senior co-captain Anthony Bakhshi remarked. “I believe that’s going to help us win more games.”
With a league record of 3-2 and an overall record of 7-3 in 2014, the Tigers are confident that this year will take them to the CIF playoffs.
“I think that the team is ready for a new start, and having a new coach gives us hope for the future,” senior Christian Carter said.
Led by new Head Coach C.B. Richards, the players have been including additional workouts with exercises every Monday and Wednesday before school and alongside their usual after school practices.
“My biggest anticipations [for the new season] is to do well, go out there as a team and play our hearts out this year,” starting center junior Coby Pineda said. “We spend a lot more time together and we help each other on and off the field.”
Although last season saw the departure of 15 seniors to graduation, the team is optimistic in its views for the upcoming season.
“I see the loss of players to graduation more optimistically. It gives an opportunity for the next younger players to step in and shine,” Head Coach CB Richards stated. “We are focused on the group of Tiger football players we currently have on the team. ”
With returning players like offensive playmaker Michael Partida and defensive specialist Ben Quirk on the field, the team is anticipated to do well this year, with strong contentions for a playoffs position.
“Losing our seniors last year did impact our team but with the work we’ve put in over the summer we should do well this year,” senior co-captain Emiliano Sornoso responded. “What I want to see from the team this year is how we can work together and say we’re a team that deserves to go to playoffs.”
The team’s first match is scheduled at Santa Clarita Christian on September 5, with their league opener scheduled against La Canada at home on Color Day October 9.
“The players have started to build stronger work ethics, and are forming a tight bond with their band of brothers on the team and I anticipate getting the most out of the talent that we have and seeing where that takes us,” Richards added.