A new chapter of high school football kicked off Thursday morning at Compton High School’s Field House, where coaches and athletes gathered for the first-ever Hub City League Football Media Day.
The Compton Unified School District celebrated its new league and partnership with the Long Beach Unified School District as they lead a new era for the community offering optimism, competitive fire and a shared belief that the new league will elevate football throughout Compton and Long Beach.
“The Hub City League is another example of our commitment to providing experiences that prepare students for success, both on and off the field,” Compton Unified Superintendent Dr. Darin Brawley said. “Sports provides a foundation that extends throughout life by teaching discipline, teamwork, resilience, accountability, leadership and perseverance. Those qualities prepare young people not only to compete, but to lead.”
Beginning this fall, the Hub City League will feature Cabrillo, Centennial, Compton, Compton Early College and Cabrillo. While many of the schools have met in nonleague play over the years, this season marks the first time they’ll compete annually for a league championship and automatic CIF Southern Section playoff berths.
For every coach in attendance, the biggest takeaway was opportunity.
Cabrillo coach Malcolm Manuel said he immediately saw the league as a chance to help his program continue building momentum.
“I thought it was a good opportunity right off the bat when they explained what they were trying to do and who was going to be in the league,” Manuel said. “It was a good opportunity for all the schools, but especially for us. Just to kind of get some traction going, get some winning going, some consistency.”
Centennial coach Dwayne Smith admitted the announcement caught him by surprise, but quickly saw the bigger picture.
“I was kind of surprised,” Smith said. “I didn’t expect it to come. It wasn’t necessarily something I was looking for. But I’m excited to win a championship in the city and give our kids and the community a transparent path where they can stay in the city.”
For Dominguez coach Daniel O’Veal, the annual matchups between familiar faces were a big selling point.
“I think it’s pretty good to get good competition within our league, our city and our district,” O’Veal said. “A lot of these kids went to middle school together. They know each other, and the coaches have developed good relationships. It’s kind of cool to be able to play each other every year.”
Compton coach Calvin Bryant expects the league’s inaugural season to bring plenty of excitement.
“The level of competition is going to be great,” Bryant said. “I think our team is going to come together, and since it’s the first year, there’s going to be excitement, fireworks and a lot of energy. I’m excited for all the schools.”
Compton Early College coach Stephen Kelley, whose program enters just its third varsity season, said the league provides another opportunity to prove the school’s football program belongs alongside its academic reputation.
“We come in with a reputation of being the academic school, the nerd school,'” Kelley said. “We’re looking forward to showing everybody that we’re coming for athletics, too. We’re trying to be as excellent in athletics as we are in academics.”
The enthusiasm extended beyond tackle football. On the flag football side, Cabrillo coach Early McCullouch Jr., Centennial coach Emo Pula, Compton coach Jason Carreras, Compton Early College coach Ronnel Norman and Dominguez coach Sean Scott all expressed excitement about helping grow one of California’s fastest-rising high school sports.
With the Hub City League providing a consistent schedule and league championship to compete for, the coaches believe the new alignment will elevate the level of flag football throughout Compton and Long Beach while creating more opportunities for student-athletes and developing new rivalries.
The Hub City League also formalizes rivalries that have developed naturally over the past several seasons.
Smith noted Centennial has already faced most of its future league opponents in recent years, while Manuel is eager for another shot at Compton after last year’s memorable shootout between the Panthers and Tarbabes.
“We’re definitely looking forward to that rematch with Compton,” Manuel said. “The way that game transpired from start to finish, we missed some opportunities that I think we can capitalize on this time.”
