The bell tolls at Calabasas
Football team wins for the first time since November 2002
By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

Nobody was going to hand the Calabasas High football team its first win in years. They had to earn it on their own.

Following 44 consecutive losses, the third-longest streak in state history and a mark that dates back to November of 2002, the Coyotes finally won a game last Thursday night, upending Channel Islands 28-14 on the road.

"Our coach always says to us, 'Just because you deserve it doesn't mean you're going to get it,'" said Coyote middle linebacker Cameron Kaveh prior to Monday's practice.

"We probably deserve to win at least half of our games this season, but it doesn't mean we're going to. We have to go out and take what we can."

Under the direction of firstyear head coach Lance Martin, the Coyotes (12) worked tirelessly throughout the summer and into the preseason. Throughout the first two weeks of the year, however, it looked like the same old story for Calabasas as the team lost its initial two contests by a combined score of 61-6.

Rather than sulk, players such as linebacker/running back Cameron Ventura continued to deliver maximum effort, both on the field and in the weight room.

"We work hard. Everyone works hard," said Ventura, who had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against Channel Islands. "We're out here for hours in the heat every day trying to get better."

The fruit of their labor was a resounding win over a struggling Channel Islands program. In the game, Calabasas built a 28-0 lead before easing off the pedal a bit and allowing Channel Islands (0-4) to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

"This win was more for the players than for me personally," said Martin, who logged his first career coaching victory. "I just came on as the head football coach and am trying to right the ship.

"But it was great to see the joy on their faces. It was a big deal for the school, the administration; it was a big deal around (campus). They've been bearing the burden of this for the last four years, so it was good to see them smiling."

Quarterback Serop Chalian completed 17-of-19 passes for 216 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Tight end Alain Dalencourt hauled in a 41-yard touchdown reception, and Justin Cudworth added six catches for 71 yards and a rushing score.

Martin said cornerback/wide receiver Chris Badger and defensive end James Kim had standout performances as well.

On the ride home Thursday night, the team bus was greeted by family, friends and fans upon returning to the high school. Everyone gathered and walked to the upper field to ring an old rusty bell that hadn't been tolled in years. They knocked on the bell 28 times, once for every point scored.

"It was broken," Ventura said. "We had to climb the tower to bang on it."

Added Martin: "We may have woken up a few neighbors."

By Friday morning the bell was fixed, and during a nutrition break most of the school returned to the upper field to give the bell its official 28 rings and to salute the team.

"People I haven't talked to in years were coming up to me and telling me what a great job we did," Ventura said. "It's a good feeling to know that we have the support of the school, but there's still a lot more work to be done."

Calabasas opens its Marmonte League schedule Friday night at 7 p.m. at Westlake.