Temple City football has overcome a lot of adversity

To think, the Temple City High School football team potentially could have been a coin flip away from missing the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.
Yes, it was that close.

But Tim Loya, the Rams offensive coordinator-turned-interim coach, made the call, a gutsy call that paid off in more ways than one; it also instilled confidence in the players whose season seemingly was on the line.

Temple City scored in the final two minutes against La Caada in the regular season finale, but the Rams still trailed, 14-12.

“We knew that a win would get us in,” Loya recalled. “But at that point we needed to get the tie to avoid the coin flips.”

Loya opted for the two-point conversion.

The rest is history.

Temple City went on to finish second in the Rio Hondo League, and in two days the Rams will play host to Paraclete at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinals of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Temple City is on a magical run, perhaps the “Cinderella” team of these playoffs, yearning for midnight to strike no earlier than a week from Saturday.

The magical ride has been a near indescribable experience for Loya, who took over on an interim basis after head coach Randy Backus was put on administrative leave.

“It’s pretty surreal, yeah, that’s the best way to put it,” said Loya in his first lengthy interview Wednesday morning. “It’s happening so fast that you don’t really have time to digest it. It’s been a fun ride and the kids are enjoying it and playing football for themselves, as they should be.

“They’re high school kids, they should enjoy the experience, and that’s what matters.”

For seven years, Loya has been Backus’ top assistant, making the calls on offense.

But despite being thrust into the interim head coach position and earning praise from colleagues for his poise, composure and soft demeanor, it’s the behind-the-scenes role that Loya relishes most.

“When I coach I do it for the kids, and that’s truly what I enjoy,” Loya said. “It’s never been about having my name in the paper or a win-loss record, that’s never been anything I’ve ever wanted.

“I feel confident in my abilities as a coach, but there’s a lot of other things that go into it.”

With Backus out for the time being, the Rams coaching staff has suddenly dwindled to just three. Mike Cable and Marti Valdez round out the rest of the coaching staff.

“Marti and Mike have been absolutely great,” Loya said. “None of this would be possible without them. A lot of the credit goes to them.”

What makes it even more difficult is that none of the current assistants, including Loya, are teachers or employees of Temple City High.

“Being (Backus) was the only teacher on campus and the defensive play-caller, he mattered more than what you’d actually think,” Loya said, “and now that he’s gone there’s only three of us. That’s been more difficult with him not being around.”

Despite compiling a 2-0-1 record since taking over and slowly making a name for himself,
Loya has all but ruled out the possibility of taking over the program or being a head coach elsewhere.

“I never wanted to be a head coach,” he said. “I’ve never even considered it for one second. (Backus) is still the head football coach.”

The seniors have taken it upon themselves to avoid a let down. And although it happened in the first round against Arroyo and escaped with a 7-6 win, Loya said they turned it around during practice later that week, en route to an impressive 17-0 win over highly-touted Azusa.

“This particular group of seniors have gone through a lot since before last season began,” Loya said. “They went through the whole spring and summer without a head coach, then Backus got diagnosed with cancer and missed a couple of games in the season, and some how (the seniors) have never taken a ‘Why me?’ attitude.

“They’ve been through a lot in two years and after what happened a couple of weeks ago they’re rallying behind themselves, if anything else.”

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