Predicting a Push Past Paraclete

The St. Paul Swordsmen have stumbled into the season with a shaky start, earning a 1-4 record after a tough loss to Redondo Union last Friday, which many players were hoping would be a revenge game from last season. However, on October 2nd, St. Paul's football squad will be seeing some new faces don the sword as numerous transfer students become eligible when the new-look Swordsmen look to grapple with the Paraclete Spirits, also sitting at 1-4.

This past week, the Swordsmen were on bye in preparation for the big game and the onset of league play. Assistant Head Coach and Geometry teacher at St. Paul, Coach Joseph Wittmer, said, “Bye week is having a week off to recover our bodies after a rough start, especially with our transfers not being eligible to play yet. Itʼs also a way to strategize our inputs for the following week, and to get ready for all of our league games.”

As Coach Wittmer said, this bye week came at a pivotal time for the Swordsmen: league play starts, but the transfers can truly be unleashed. After a frustrating four games to start the year, junior safety Visi Aseh is fired up and excited to join his teammates under the lights against Paraclete: “Iʼm ready to prove to my team that I can be a helpful asset to the defense, and prove to my coaches that Iʼm an important player and that there is a reason Iʼm here.”

On Friday, October 2nd, Visi will wear the famed sword decal on his helmet for the first time alongside sophomore transfer Markice Leonard, who is a stout defensive lineman. Leonard possesses the build to bully opposing linemen and erupt through offensive lines, which can help create a variety of defensive packages for the Swordsmen. After his freshman year at Compton High School, he decided to attend St. Paul and said, “I transferred because St. Paul has great competition, exposure, and a coaching staff who makes me and my teammates feel at home.” The St. Paul family is beyond enthusiastic to welcome these young men to campus and the football field as well.

These transfers could not have become eligible at a more critical time, with St. Paul having quite a bit to prove in the opening of league play. However, this will not be simply a battle on the field for forty-eight minutes. Paraclete will push the Swordsmen and their mental game to the edge. Following their shaky start to the season, St. Paul has received significant hate and doubt online via X, Instagram, and TikTok. With this game, the Swordsmen can silence doubters and reestablish a legacy of victory and conquest at St. Paul.

Senior center Luis Gonzalez, who has consistently been a bulldozer during his time anchoring the line, is locked in and ready to go against the Spirits: “My mindset and focus for this game is to prove the doubters wrong. Every day I feel like we hear something new from people online, and we try not to focus on that. To make myself clear, I DO NOT let that interfere with my mindset because I know my team and I know the hours of work that we put in on and off the field every day.”

He continued his impassioned speech by saying: “I trust the team and that we can put a good product out on that field because at the end of the day itʼs all us and thatʼs all that I need.” As Luis mentioned, next Fridayʼs clash will be a game of opportunity and to prove St. Paulʼs worth.

During the bye week, the swordsmen have been working quite hard and appear more ready than ever before to put on the pads and go hit somebody. Sophomore linebacker Visa Hufanga said, “ I feel good and prepared. I feel that these past 5 weeks I havenʼt showcased my real talent and skill, but going into the league, I feel confident in our new start with a new defense. I think this matchup means a lot to the team because these past five weeks havenʼt been our best, but with all of our transfers, the offense is going to be way different from before.”

Visa carried on his rallying cry and wanted to shout out his new teammates as well: “I also feel confident in our defense, especially Visi and Markice, because I know they are going to make a big impact...With a complete team, I think we will all together have a better mindset and a better set goal.”

With Visa and the transfers getting loud and amplifying the defense, junior quarterback Josh Villatla is feeling steady and prepared on the offensive side of the ball: “ I feel good. I think our transfers are going to help us out a lot. Weʼve gone through a lot of hard weeks...Iʼm just looking forward to a new start, and a new chance to prove ourselves.” Now that youʼve heard from your swordsmen, itʼs up to you to support your team next week @ Paraclate 7pm.

Live by the sword, die by the sword; as always, gooooo Swordsmen!!

Score Predictions:

Mr. Nichols: 28-17 SPHS

Ms. Gonzalez: 20-14 SPHS