Esperanza’s varsity football team, with a winning season start of 6 wins and 1 loss, have become surprisingly good contenders in the league with new head coach at the helm, Wes Choate, formerly of from La Quinta High School.

“The challenges are football. It’s a tough game, that takes tough people. But our players are working really hard to make this year the best year,” explained Choate, in an interview with the Matador Messenger.  The Aztecs started this season with high expectations, hoping to banish the memories of the past four losing seasons in which they ended with a record of 1-9 (w:l ratio).

So far this season,  the Esperanza Aztecs have had some of the best player performances n the county. For instance running back Walter Gooding is ranked as the number 1 running back in the division and has the fifth  most yards in the county. “Our receiver has the 10th most yards in the county” stated Choate. Additionally, the Aztec defense has effectively caused 12 turnovers, including interceptions in just three games.

Surprise wins this season have included ,“Esperanza and El Modena battled hard for every single yard of their non league game Friday night at Yorba Linda High School,” wrote Lou Ponsi, sports writer for the OC register. The Aztecs  have also defeated Canyon football 34-21, adding to the Aztec winning streak.

The Aztecs have three games left in their season with the following schedule:

10/18/19 : Esperanza vs Brea away/ Brea @ 7pm. 

10/25/19: Esperanza vs Foothill away/ Tustin HS@7pm. 

11/1/19: Esperanza vs El Dorado home/Shapell Stadium (Yorba Linda High School)  @7pm.