Huntington Park’s historic drive to playoffs

James Rossum watches video of his dance battle at Calexico High Shool.

Students nap as the the Huntington Park Spartans take a 4 hour bus ride to the CIF State Regional Playoffs at Calexico High School.

Huntington Park Spartan Patrick Poun is cast in silhouette as the charter bus travels along California state route 86.

Andrew Rios shares his chicken tenders with Raymond Marquez during a team lunch at Applebee’s as the Huntington Park Spartans head to the CIF State Regional Playoffs at Calexico High School.

Huntington Park Spartans wide receiver Anthony Parhms points as the team boards the bus after the team enjoyed lunch at an Applebee’s near the United States/Mexico border.

William Herrera is deep in thought on a bench in the locker room before a CIF State Regional Playoff game against Vincent Memorial at Calexico High School.

\Victor Molina changes a song playing on the speaker in the locker room before the start of a game between the Huntington Park Spartans and the Vincent Memorial Scots.

The Huntington Park Spartans cheer before the start of a CIF State Regional Playoff game between the Huntington Park Spartans and the Vincent Memorial Scots at Calexico High School.

The Huntington Park Spartans gets a last minute pep talk before their game.

Vincent Memorial halfback Javier Briseno is forced out of bounds by Spartan’s Salvador Andrade.

Spartan players lay on the ground during half time, as they trailed the Vincent Memorial Scots.

Alfonso Valencia after the Huntington Park Spartans fell to the Vincent Memorial Scots.

Melvin Murcia sheds tears after the Huntington Park Spartans lost to the Vincent Memorial Scots.

Tabatha Bollin, 15, comforts Hailey Wolfe, 16, both center, after the Huntington Park Spartans fell to the Vincent Memorial Scots.

Ignacio Sanchez (23), Melvin Murcia (11) and Fredy Salinas (25) and the rest of the Spartans gather on the sideline following their loss to the Vincent Memorial Scots.

Victor Molina is consoled by his grandmother, Hortencia Rivas, who drove from Tijuana to watch the game.