The Vikings ended their season on Nov. 27 with a close 39-33 loss in the Beach Bowl against Ventura College but finished with a 6-5 winning record.
“I’m incredibly proud of their resilience to keep pushing back,” said Head Coach Brett
Peabody.
After a rough start, going 0-2 against Riverside and Bakersfield, they had a five-game winning streak.
“Instead of putting our heads down, we battled through and became a family,” starting quarterback Jett Peddy said.
The Vikings are a family on and off the field, whether it was messing around before and after practices, laughing and just having a good time with one another, or hyping one another up to keep the momentum going.
“The defense and offense used each other’s momentum through key moments in games, and it really showed the chemistry and that we played hard for one another,” said Peddy, “this team had heart and didn’t panic when adversity hit us.”
Overall, the team improved from last season, where they finished 4-6.
Their run game improved on the offensive side of the ball, and they had more rushing yards than the ‘23-’24 season.
Defensively, they improved on yards allowed during pass attempts compared to last season by about 85 yards.
“We always have our heads up,” said Michael Salinas, an offensive lineman.
“Over the season, we got closer each week, which translated for more success during the season,” defensive end Carson Moore, said.
The team had some close wins and losses where the score was just a couple of points, but one of their biggest games came in a 38-30 double-overtime win over Cerritos when the Vikings were able to keep the Crosstown Cup.
Those in the locker room believe they are close to bringing home a state championship for the first time since they won a national championship in 1995.