How are Tri-City high schools preparing for this season?
With the fall season just around the corner, the Tri-City area is gearing up for another exciting year of high school football. Six teams—James Logan, Kennedy, Washington, Newark, Irvington and American—are training and preparing for the upcoming season. Some teams, like James Logan, Irvington and Kennedy, are entering an exciting era of football under new coaching staffs, while others, such as Washington, Newark and American, aim to build and improve on their existing foundations. Despite their differences, all these teams share a common goal: to learn and improve on last year’s performance and build excitement around their football programs.
James Barnes, the new head coach for James Logan, reflected on last year’s performance, highlighting the contributions of Jonathan Craft, the league MVP quarterback who led the team to a league title. Coach Barnes expressed his ambitions for the upcoming season, stating, “This year, we want James Logan to play fast, while also controlling the flow of the game.” He emphasized that Logan will be one of the most conditioned and disciplined teams in the league, adding, “The players you see on the field will be the ones who bought in.” With a history of success, James Logan hopes to continue their winning ways under Coach Barnes.
On the other hand, American High School faced a winless season, but is determined to bounce back. Despite the challenging year, American managed to keep a few games close, offering hope for the future. Assistant Head Coach Rueben Rodriguez, who preaches the motto “iron sharpens iron,” believes the adversity has only strengthened the team. Coach Rueben stated, “In order to be the best, you have to play against the best.” This season, Coach Rueben and the Eagles are confident they can return to the win column and advance to the playoffs.
John F. Kennedy High School, a powerhouse in the area, had a solid season last year, finishing 7-3 and second in their league. They were behind only Piedmont High School due to a 6-point loss in their head-to-head matchup. Kennedy was a very consistent team last year, keeping it close in almost every game. Kennedy Head Coach BJ Hagood believes that his first season will be a “rebuild year.” With many players gone, Kennedy’s team will have to find a new identity. By holding players to a high standard and ensuring accountability, Coach Hagood is implementing the motto ‘control what you can control.’ This season, Coach Hagood and the Titans hope to get back to the playoffs and continue to win one game at a time.
In contrast, Washington High School experienced a season full of highs and lows, ending with a 5-5 record. The Huskies’ slow start and inconsistency contributed to their mediocre season. Early in the season, they suffered tough losses, but they managed to find their rhythm later in the season, dominating teams like Encinal, Mt. Eden and Irvington. This strong finish gives the Huskies optimism for the future.
Irvington High School’s Vikings had a slow start as well, but quickly found their stride, finishing the season with a 5-1 run after starting 0-2. Head Coach Anthony Jackson, who coaches with the motto “Accept the Challenge,” praised his team’s resilience last season. This season, Coach Jackson aims to win their league and make the playoffs. He noted that this year’s team is “a year older than last year” and is confident that the Vikings can be a factor this season. He is particularly excited about returning all-conference running back Matty Forbes. Coach Jackson expects big things from him this season.
Newark Memorial High School is coming off an exciting season. They finished 6-4, with three of their losses coming in one-possession games. The Cougars just could not flip that last gear to get them to the next level. This season, Assistant Head Coach Abdul Harris wants to make the postseason and get past the first round. He stated that he plans to do this by staying the course and executing on every opportunity. He goes by the motto, “We don’t make excuses, we make examples.” Coach Harris highlighted player Gerardo Zavala Rangel as the “heart of the defense and a guy who just understands the game.” He expects Gerardo Zavala Rangel to be an X-Factor on the defensive side of the ball.
As the fall season approaches, the Tri-City area’s high school football teams are poised for an exciting and eventful season. From the established powerhouses to the teams looking to turn their program around, this season will be highly competitive and fun to watch. With the support of fans and the Tri-City community, the area can look forward to an electrifying season this fall.
