On October 25, the Mt. Eden football team won its first game of the season against San Lorenzo High School. 

The football team plays ten games over the course of an 11-week season. Games have been held every Friday where food and snacks are sold.  Alongside the game, the cheer team performs routines and encourages the crowds to chant along. Each home game has its own theme for audiences to dress accordingly such as the Pink-Out on October 18 to commemorate cancer awareness, the Luau on September 27, and Halloween costumes on October 25.

Seven out of the 29 players were interviewed and described the familiar environment as one of the most enjoyable aspects of being on the team. Mt. Eden junior and football player Isaiah Nunes described the team as a “family” that sticks together. Many players cite this sense of community as motivation.  

The players joined the football team for different reasons. 

“I wanted to do a more physical sport because I did swim and I wanted to get in more contact,” said Mt. Eden junior and football player Austin Cumero.

Another student, senior and football player Giancarlo Peralta, recalled playing football since second grade. In addition, Peralta said he watched football and “was a huge 49ers fan.”   

Cumero advised new players to focus up and work on building relationships. 

“I would tell [new players to] put all the contact and hitting part away and focus,” said Cumero. “Just get to make all these friends and a family, and be here with your brothers.”

Former football players from previous graduating classes have also returned to the team as assistants or coaches. Coach Ray, graduated in 2000 and is a Mt. Eden alum, along with one of the current assistant coaches. 

“Just giving back to the place that gave to me,” said Coach Ray.

The team has a final game on November 8 to finish this season.