Uni Football Ready to Start New Streak

It has been eight days since University High’s football team suffered a crushing 56-0 loss at powerful Los Alamitos in a mismatch that was all but decided after a barrage of touchdowns in the first few minutes, and the Wildcats are more than ready to see another opponent – hopefully one that is more manageable.

University (2-1) plays at Eagle Rock (1-3) at 3 p.m. today in the first of four consecutive afternoon games for the Wildcats, who continue to prepare for Western League competition. Today marks the second-to-last tune-up before league play begins and first-year head coach Lee Lowe is hoping his team is in the midst of a turnaround after entering the season with 24 consecutive losses.

“Last game, we just didn’t start off fast and didn’t execute the way we know how,” Lowe said. “As far as this week is concerned, we have to start off fast and be physical.”

One difference between this year’s team and last year’s squad that went 0-9 is an abundance of athletic playmakers. You can’t execute without the personnel to do so, and it appears University, led by quarterback Alif Vannah, running backs Xavier Johnson and Tevin Epps and receivers Doug Brown and Alvin Clark, is much more athletic than before.

“We need to use our speed, and if we can do that, we will come out on top,” Lowe said.

Eagle Rock, once among the top Division II programs in the City Section, has struggled in recent seasons. Since coach Greg Pierce took over in 2008 the Eagles are 8-25, though the team did show improvement last week with its first win of the season, an 18-17 victory Bell, after giving up an average of nearly 40 points over three consecutive losses to start the year. 

Some of Eagle Rock’s top players are linebacker Nico Pulido and defensive lineman Pablo Estrada.

After today’s game, University begins a three-game stand next Friday against Cleveland of Reseda, followed by Western League matchups with Palisades and Fairfax.

Lowe is trying to change the culture of University’s program, something not easily done considering the Wildcats were 1-28 over the previous three seasons.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TODAY

University (2-1) at Eagle Rock (1-3), 3 p.m. – After winning its first two games, Eagle Rock looks to rebound from a 56-0 loss to Los Alamitos, a top Southern Section Pac-5 program.