This past Friday marked the start of league for the Wolverines as they lost  at home 20-31, against the Trabuco Hills Mustangs. The wolverine were 4-3 going into the game after a loss against Capo Valley High School the week before hand. 

Going into the game Aliso was dealing with adversity, having multiple players out on injury according to Coach Callahan. 

“We’re missing a few key guys when that happens you’ve got to get young guys who maybe aren’t as experienced ready to play. That’s been our big focus this past week, getting the younger guys who aren’t normally ready to go, prepared.” 

Aliso started the game with the score against them as Trabuco was able to score the first point of the game with a field goal. This started a trend through the first quarter and into the second as Trabuco scored two touchdowns after the field goal  making the score 17-0 half way through the second quarter. Trabuco scored that last touchdown with a 57 yard run by #12 William Burns. 

Aliso’s first touchdown of the night came from quarterback Hunter Najum (11) with a 7 yard rushing touchdown. With the extra point the score became 17-7. 

After the first half the Wolverines regrouped. Coach Callahan talked about going back to assignments and working on the basics for the second half.

“We got to make plays. We had a lot of drops. The two touchdowns they scored were on blown assignments defensively Like I always tell the guys it’s not what the other team does, it’s what we do.” 

Aliso came out of halftime strong as Hunter Najum scored his second touchdown of the night rushing 51 yards with eight minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Trabuco returned the favor soon after with a touchdown making the score 24-14 to end the 3rd quarter. 

Starting the 4th quarter Aliso came in with a touchdown closing the gap enough to give the team a chase of taking the lead. After a missed kick, following the touchdown, the score was 24-20 with Trabuc still in the lead. Sadly with 1 minute left to go in the 4th quarter Trabuco scored theri final touchdown of the night sealing Aliso’s fate. The game ended 31-20 a sad start to Aliso’s 2022 league game. 

No one was more sadden than Aliso’s head coach but instead of kicking the team while they were down he applauded them for their resilience throughout the night. 

“They never quit, they never give up. As long as I’m a coach here I’ll coach a team that won’t quit. Again we need to improve on the little things. Make our blocks and make our tackles.” 

The loss put the Wolverines at 0-1 in the Sea View League.  As the end of season is approaching the team has their last home game next week against El Toro High School. The Wolverines haven’t won a league game since the 2019 season but as the game approaches fans and players are ready to see the outcome.