HS FOOT: Reseda win pulls at heart strings

Reseda's 14-6 victory Friday at San Fernando was an emotional one for the Regents, and not just because the win spoiled San Fernando's halftime ceremony honoring the 35th anniversary of San Fernando's second consecutive City championship in 1975.

Reseda was still mourning the death of Esler Looney, a longtime Reseda football supporter and the father of Reseda defensive coordinator Joe Looney. The elder Looney died last Sunday of heart failure. He was 83.

"It was a really troubling week, unlike any other week for us, because we couldn't prepare as we normally do," Reseda coach Alonso Arreola said. "Our coach, Joe, was only around for one day during the week because he had to run around and take care of things, and he didn't even arrive Friday until 10 minutes before kickoff because he was at the wake."

The players wore custom "E.L." stickers on their helmets, and defensive lineman Freddy Lopez led an impassioned prayer right before the Regents took the field.

"It was a really, really inspirational prayer, all about how we're dealing with a heavy heart and how we know Elser is looking down upon us and that we're going to play this game for him," Arreola said. "All the kids knew what a big supporter Elser was of Reseda football. Freddy did an amazing job."

Still wiping tears, Reseda fell behind by an early touchdown but rallied to improve to 4-0.