The Southwest High School football team finished 1-9 in 2009. Head coach Mike Esposito believes 2010 will hold brighter promise for his team.
“All the players have worked very hard in the off-season, spending one week at a football camp, so the season outlook is very positive,” Esposito said. “Expectations for 2010 are improvement, lots of improvement.”
The Raiders return four all-league players: seniors David Leon (wide receiver), Lamar Weston (quarterback), Pierre Davis (tailback) and Jesus Macias (offensive line). Also being counted on for leadership this year is offensive lineman Terrence Newby, the school’s 2009 weightlifter of the year.
Impact newcomers include sophomore Jevante Reed and seniors Carlos Llamas and Ruben Montiel.
Leon earned second team all-league honors last season.
While Esposito cited offseason commitment and returning experience as the strength of this year’s team, he conceded that depth on the team’s offensive and defensive lines remains a weakness.
Southwest is 7-28 in its last 35 league games, with much to prove in 2010.
The Raiders get a new start in the slimmed-down South Bay League, with expectations to be instantly competitive with Mar Vista, Hilltop and San Ysidro for the league championship.
Southwest kicks off the 2010 regular season Sept. 3 at Hamilton High School in Anza.
Southwest Raiders
2010 Varsity Schedule
September
3: Southwest at Hamilton (Anza), 7 p.m.
10: Southwest at Mountain Empire, 7 p.m.
17: Rock Academy at Southwest, 7 p.m.
24: Southwest at California Military Academy, 7 p.m.
October
1: Bakersfield Christian at Southwest, 7 p.m.
8: Bye
15: Southwest at Sweetwater, 7 p.m.
22: Southwest at St. Joseph, 7 p.m.
29: Hilltop at Southwest, 7 p.m.
November
5: Southwest at San Ysidro
12: Southwest at Mar Vista
