Compton is buzzing. After years of anticipation, students will finally step onto the brand-new Compton High campus this fall – a fresh start for the community.
That buzz has turned into a sense of excitement throughout the community and on the football field as the team as the Tarbabes are ready to bounce back from a disappointing season.
“This has meant so much,” Compton coach Calvin Bryant said about what the new campus has meant to the team and community. “Just to be able to get back, get the energy back in the city. And to get the opportunity to be able to put a product on the field again. We have a bad taste in our mouth with how the season went last year and we want to make something happen a little bit better than what happened last year.”
With the new facilities and campus, the Tarbabes have seen an increase of participation with the program competing with around 80 athletes. This will also be the first time any of the current Tarbabes have been able to play on their home field after hosting their home games at Compton College.
“This is a great experience,” Nate Willard said. “I feel good, I’ve never been on a real high school field in Compton. So, the first time playing on it, it feels good. Playing with my brothers, we gonna ball, we’re gonna have fun.”
Compton will have plenty of familiar faces with Willard, including Francis Madera, Ameer Freeman, Alex Martinez, Matthew Iosua, Cash Maluia, and Bruce Lee. The Tarbabes will also welcome back some important pieces to the offensive line like center Bruce Lee, who faced some injury trouble.
That experience will be valuable for Compton as they enter year two of their new offensive scheme. The Tarbabes’ offense will also get a boost with newcomers Edward Rivera and Jaelyn Nelson who will give Madera some added firepower.
Rivera was one of the city section’s top running backs last season, surpassing 2,000 yards total yards. Nelson provides a sizable target for the Tarbabes and is a ballhawk on defense with his six-foot-three frame.
“We’ve got a lot of energy,” Freeman said of the team’s attitude before the season. “We’re super stoked, ready to hit, ready for our first game. Once we get in pads we’re turning into different people, into different humans. “
After losing every Moore League game, the Tarbabes are using that as fuel as they get ready for their season opener against Rancho Dominguez on August 22.
“You know how we lost every single league game,” Freeman said. “We’re not gonna do that this year. Everything’s going to change. Everything is.”
On the defensive side of the ball, Compton is excited their linebacker duo of Freeman and Jay-Rome Norwood who didn’t get to play together last season.
With that duo, Compton is also excited about their defensive front that includes Troy Joyner, Andre Mayo, Trevon Fair and a incoming freshman Sauileone Malietufa.
Compton has a few guys that are still in the process of being cleared, but it’s clear there’s optimism in Hub City ahead of the season,
“We have some guys,” Bryant said. “We have some impactful players that will make a big difference in our program too. There’s some you’ll hear about last but like I said, we’re excited about it. It starts with our line and have some quick guys. I think we will be able to get off to a good start.”
That start will be on August 22 when Compton hosts Rancho Dominguez, but that will just be a start for the Tarbabes as they will host seven of their 10 games at C-High – an opportunity Bryant is excited to have for the team and the fans. Moore League will start on Sept. 19 when the Tarbabes host Lakewood.
“We’re looking to pack the stands,” Bryant said. “We look to fill it up with our students, the community, you know, just anybody, man, like I said, we’re looking for the stands to be packed. The music will be out, the band will be going, you know, like I said, a great atmosphere, you know what I mean? That’s what’s really important right now, because we couldn’t have it at Roosevelt, just to be able to have your own home fields like having your own house.”
Probable Starters:
Offense:
QB: Francis Madera
OL: Bruce Lee
OL: Alex Martinez
OL: Matthew Iosua
OL: Sauileone Malietufa
OL: Damariayhe Newman
RB: Ameer freeman
WR: Jaelyn Baker Nelson
WR: Nate Willard
WR: Edward Rivera
OL/ TE: Cash Malia
K: David Silva
Defense:
LB: Jay’rome norwood
LB: Ameer Freeman
DL: Troy Joyner
DL: Sauileone Malietufa
DL: Andre Mayo
DL: Trevon Fair
DL: Damariayhe Newman
CB: Jaelyn Nelson
CB: Ronnie Mixon
Safety: Nate Willard
Safety: Edward Rivera
Schedule:
8/22 vs Rancho Dominguez
8/28 vs Compton Centennial
9/5 vs Paramount
9/12 vs Dorsey
9/19 vs Lakewood
9/26 at Cabrillo
10/3 at Wilson
10/18 vs Jordan
10/24 vs Millikan10/30 at Poly
