Thursday, September 10, the McClatchy Lions football team faced off against the Rancho Cordova Lancers in a back and forth struggle. However, our Lions persevered, defeating the Lancers 26-24. The difficulty of this win was not lost on the team or the coaches.
Defensive Line Coach Casey Cartmill noted that it was a “Hard-nosed battle, [but] our team always had faith.” The change in attitude was also noted by star Running Back Alyas Kirkland (#47), saying that, “Attitude has always been an issue, but we finally came together as a team, and did not give up.”
This win also marks the end of one of the longest losing streaks that has plagued the CKM football program. In the past eight years, McClatchy has never won a single non-league game, but this streak was ended with the win over Cordova by utilizing a new offensive and defensive style.
The new offense is a UCLA package that utilizes tempo and great use of the short pass, easily allowing the Lions to wear down bigger, stronger teams. Coach Cartmill credited fellow Coach and Offensive Coordinator, Aaron Jáuregui, with his handling of the new offense, saying that, “He does a fantastic job keeping tempo and execution on point.” The Lions also made use of a new defensive style: a three-five-three layering system, as well as a new blitz package.
Kirkland praised the new defense saying “It’s far more reliable on the RB, and all around better than last years defense.”
The superiority in style and execution showed against the Cordova Lancers, resulting in an inevitable win for the proud Lions. With this win the team now sets their sights on the rest of the season, and ending McClatchy’s 20 year playoff drought.