Historic season for Cleveland Highs unbeaten

To perceive the dedication and dedication of soccer gamers from unbeaten Cleveland High, let’s review the dedication of backup quarterback Julio Avalos. He was so excited after guiding the Cavaliers to a 14-9 win over City Section energy Birmingham that he spent all evening watching movie.

Asked what time he finally determined to go to sleep, Avalos said, “4 a.m.”

The complete offensive line eats together at lunch in the cafeteria.

“You see people hiding their food,” one lineman quipped.

They also get together on Thursdays for pasta evening, where one participant acknowledged eating “six to eight” chocolate chip cookies to close out a evening of shared love for carbohydrates.

Then there’s the 34-year-old coach Mario Guzman. It’s been many years since a younger coach armed with a educating credential has pulled off the type of breakthrough season in the City Section that Cleveland is having fun with, at a time when the City has misplaced such historic teaching figures as Robert Garrett, Angelo Gasca, Lorenzo Hernandez, Paul Knox and Mike Walsh.

Think back to 1992 when Troy Starr of Taft was 30 years outdated and took his crew to the City 3-A closing after a winless 1991 season.

If Cleveland (7-0) wins out and captures the West Valley League title, the Cavaliers doubtless will obtain the No. 2 seeding behind defending champion Carson in the City Section Open Division playoffs. Cleveland never performs in the Open Division.

“I told him, ‘Good luck, baby,’” Birmingham coach Jim Rose said of his message to Guzman.

“They have 30 seniors. That’s a huge help,” Rose said. “He’s got his guys believing in what they do as a program. Their identity is to pound the ball on offense. The first two series, we gave up touchdowns. One thing about Cleveland is they always get athletes, but they put it together this season. He’s got enough big guys and enough speed to get it going.”

Cleveland also went on the highway to beat another City energy, Crenshaw, 24-18. Each win got here with Avalos at quarterback, changing the injured Domenik Fuentes. Avalos usually performs receiver, but he had to fill in last season when Fuentes received damage before returning for the playoffs.

Guzman was caught by shock last season when he didn’t put together for shedding Fuentes, so all summer time, he vowed to never again to be without a absolutely prepared backup quarterback. Fuentes returned on Friday evening to go for 208 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-20 win over El Camino Real.

Cleveland has a number of working backs, led by Moyosoreoluwa Odebunmi. The protection options center linebacker Joseph Hurtado, who Rose said is spectacular as a tackler.

Guzman is a third-year coach who was an assistant under former coach Peter Gunny. Guzman graduated from Grant and served as an assistant there for a number of years while going to Valley College, Cal State Northridge and National University to gain a educating credential. His spouse, Elizabeth, helps out with her cooking abilities during preseason practices. She’s a prekindergarten instructor for ages 4 and 5, which suggests she has tons of endurance.

“She was fired up,” Guzman said about the Birmingham recreation. “She wanted a headset.”

TK Drayton, who’s been in Cleveland’s program for 4 years, said of Guzman, “He loves us outside of sports. He checks on you. You want to go the extra mile for him.”

Discipline has been big for Guzman, whether or not that means gamers show up to weight training sporting all black or making sure they never stroll when heading to the follow area.

Guzman also has integrity. He’s the last grownup to go away Cleveland after video games. Sometimes it takes until practically midnight for the ultimate participant to be picked up by a guardian. Guzman waits with him. Yes, it might be simple for Guzman to give the participant a experience home, but that’s against LAUSD guidelines for academics and coaches.

“All you can do is watch,” Guzman said.

The gamers have positioned their trust in Guzman, as have mother and father. He’s delivering.