Taft’s Football Success a Mother’s Story

On a night in which awe-struck teenagers lived out their football fantasies playing on the hallowed grounds of the Coliseum, Taft High endured another heartbreaking defeat in the City Section Division 4-A championship game.

In consecutive years, Taft has entered the 4-A final unbeaten, only to come away runner-up to San Pedro. It happened again Friday night, with the Pirates (13-1) beating the Toreadors (12-1), 24-9.

The frustration level is growing for Taft players. The defeat had to feel worse than last season because this time, the Toreadors were favored.

Now comes the reflecting, the second-guessing, the what-ifs. How does Taft accept finishing second again?

It’s part of life’s learning experience, and nothing will take away from the untold story of Taft’s season--perseverance, team work and dedication.

It’s about the Taft mamas’ boys.

Because of death, divorce, separation or irreconcilable differences, a group of Taft mothers has been forced to raise their football-playing sons as single parents.

It’s not pleasant. It’s not easy. It’s not preferable--it’s life.

How these Taft players reached this point under the firm guidance of their mothers helps explain the Toreadors’ success.

They’ve accepted increased personal responsibilities, dealt with additional financial burdens and recognized that the keys to success in football can be transferred to other aspects of daily life.

Look at senior center Clint Evans. His father died last fall, leaving four children and their mother in pain and turmoil. From dealing with financial pressures to coping with emotional upheaval, the burden has fallen on Angelia Evans and her oldest son, Clint.

“Things are going a lot better,” Clint said. “We still have some problems. You have to deal with a lot of stuff. You have to step it up and take responsibility.”

Look at senior defensive end Larry Jones. He used to live out of a car with his mother and twin brother after they moved here from Connecticut. Then they found an apartment, finally a house.

“She taught me to never give up, always have faith, always have hope, always stay strong,” Jones said. “She guided us and kept us on a straight path.”

Look at junior linebacker Dionte Hall. It has been him and his mother for years.

“She teaches me to have respect for everybody,” Hall said.

Look at senior wide receiver Dominic Early. His mother has convinced him anything is possible.

“If I stay dedicated and try hard, I can do a lot of things,” Early said.

Look at junior running back Marquis Brignac. He watches his mother go to work every day and come home tired. Then she receives new energy when hearing what her oldest child has accomplished.

“She works so hard,” Brignac said. “Every time I do something, she feels she has the same achievement.”

Look at junior quarterback Steve Alvarado. He has been reared by his mother since his parents’ divorce when he was 3. He once lived in a foster home. He has a 3.4 grade-point average and a zest for life.

When Taft Coach Troy Starr told Alvarado last summer he would never start at quarterback, Alvarado refused to listen.

“I know a lot of other kids would have just left,” he said. “There was no other way I would have gotten back to the Coliseum. I had to take whatever [Starr] dished out.”

Alvarado became the starting quarterback in August and ended up passing for more than 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns, a dream season for any player. Against San Pedro, he completed nine consecutive passes in the first half. He played with courage and toughness.

“It’s up to the kid,” Alvarado said. “You have to have a will inside of you not to get caught up in bad stuff.”

And why is Taft 25-2 over the past two seasons?

“It’s a bunch of kids working hard and doing their best,” Alvarado said.

It’s also about a bunch of single moms trying their hardest to make life a little better for themselves and their sons.

Evans and others have made a discovery.

“Moms are a lot tougher [than dads],” he said.

The moms are going to be busy this weekend trying to console their sons. It’s just another of life’s tough lessons.

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Eric Sondheimer is the local columnist. He can be reached at (818) 772-3422.

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* 4-A FINAL

Taft loses to San Pedro, 24-9, for the second year in a row at Coliseum. C1