The excitement that started in the offseason is still buzzing in Hub City as Compton is off to a 2-0 start for the second time in three years.
With a punishing rushing attack, Compton is coming off back-to-back 300-yard rushing games but will host a Paramount team on Friday night that has beaten them three years in a row and defeated the Tarbabes the last two times they started the season 2-0 during the 2024 and 2022 seasons.
“They’ve had our number the last few years,” Compton coach Calvin Bryant said. “We’re trying to make sure we prepare very well to make sure that we’re able to play a much more competitive game. We know they have a good team.”
The Pirates (2-0) have a balanced attack that’s been close to even over the first two games. In last week’s win against Fairfax, Paramount turned to their run attack led by Serafin Solis who leads the team 150 yards.
In their first game, Zechariah Moreno and Nicko Hernandez each threw three touchdown passes in a 56-0 win over Roosevelt.
For Compton, depth will be a key factor for the Tarbabes as they welcome back another key player on their offensive line in Alex Martinez.
“Paramount’s going to give us a strong battle up front so fortunately we get Alex back this week,” Bryant said. “So that’s going to help us out. You never know what kind of game it’s going to be until you get on the field with that team.”
With another key part of their offensive line back, Compton will continue to lean on their dynamic duo of Nate Willard and Trevon Fair who are both averaging a first down to start the season.
Defensively, the Tarbabes will lean on linebackers Ameer Freeman and Jay’rome Norwood who showed what’s possible as Freeman had an interception, and Norwood had a blocked punt for a touchdown in Compton’s win against Centennial.
While Compton is continuing to get guys on their roster back, the Tarbabes will be without Coach Bryant on Friday as he will be undergoing a minor procedure on Thursday and won’t be with the team against Paramount, a team he coached previously. It will be the first time in Bryant’s career where he won’t be on the sideline as a head coach.
“It’s gonna be a little different,” Bryant said. “I’ll be itching about trying to get to the school, but I’ll be watching it and making sure I’m calling and talking to coaches and making sure everything is going well. It’ll be like me being there.”
