Campus Champs

A perennial academic decathlon contender, Taft High School demonstrated it has brawn to go with its brains by winning the school’s first City football championship, causing jubilation on campus Monday.

“It’s like we won the Super Bowl!” said Edwin Tucker, an economics teacher at the school. “This is a big, big, big deal!”

Tucker believes the athletic victory is as important as the school’s past academic accomplishments. Taft has won two national Academic Decathlon titles and this year placed sixth among 57 teams.

If the mood around campus Monday was any indication, Tucker’s assessment is accurate.

Students, teachers and administrators couldn’t stop talking about the Toreadors’ 41-20 victory over 10-time City champion Banning High School on Friday at the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The victory was extra sweet because Taft had lost to the same team, 41-13, early in the season.

“Of course, everybody is excited. This is the first football championship in our 40-year history,” said Taft Assistant Principal Jim Szabo. “This is absolutely thrilling!”

Even those who didn’t follow the team this year were talking about its triumph. Junior Linh Tran, 16, knew Taft had lost in the City final the previous two seasons only because she had heard other students mention it.

She dismissed this year’s team, figuring it would again lose the big game. Tran also said she really didn’t care, but that didn’t stop her from celebrating Monday.

“I was surprised and very excited that they won,” she said, giggling. “I’m really glad I was wrong.”

So is everyone else on campus. Many players say they’d had a feeling it was their turn to finally bring home the title.

During the half-hour lunch break, players received congratulations and pats on the back from students they had never met.

Clearly, it was a day for the young athletes.

“When I walked into most of my classes today, people clapped,” said quarterback Brandon Hance, a junior who completed 17 passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns Friday. “It really felt great.”

Michael Levy, a 17-year-old senior, said the adulation started Saturday night at a school play.

“When the football players walked in, everybody started clapping and cheering,” Michael said. “I think it’s great. It really brings out school spirit and pride.”

Players and coaches dedicated the title game to former Principal Ron Berz, who has been resting at home after surgery to remove a malignant brain tumor. It was Berz who hired football coach Troy Starr seven years ago.

Starr, 36, spent Monday running around campus with a huge smile on his face. The coach has received a flood of calls since the big win, many from people he hasn’t heard from in years.

“One of the best things about this is that it’s great to see the whole student body excited about something,” Starr said.

Taft is planning an official ceremony, pep rally and luncheon for the players Thursday. Assistant Principal Szabo said they’re waiting so long because the school “wants to do it right.”

Students say they won’t have a problem getting hyped up for the event, which will take place in the school’s courtyard.

“That’s OK, because we’re going to celebrate this the whole year,” cheerleader Raja Tillman said.