Madison Bell / Roundup
The sounds of the defense hitting the tackle dummies, the quarterbacks shouting the cadences, and the cheerleaders practicing their cheers echoed throughout Shepard Stadium, announcing that football season is officially here.
This football team is clearly rising to the top, which is made clear by their intense practices. The Brahmas defeated the highly touted Fullerton College Hornets Saturday night, who previously were the 5th ranked team in the nation according to JCGridiron.com.
The Brahmas, after the win, are now ranked amongst the best in the nation, currently 17th. They’re also the defending American Pacific Conference champions.
“Pierce has a lot of exposure right now,” said Exusdus Roodlin, a Pierce College Student and Brahmas football fan. “We are a good team.”
Not only do these athletes excel on the field, but they also excel in the classroom. Many of Pierce College’s football players have been awarded the rights to the Southern California Football Association Scholar-Athlete Team, as well as many of them being named “All Conference Selections.” It’s no wonder why many of these players are being recruited to play at four-year universities.
While the Brahmas football program may be at the top of their game right now, Head Coach Efrain Martinez says it has been a work in progress.
“The program was chaotic when I started,” Martinez said. “The players were running the program.”
Martinez was able to change things around by bringing the program a different kind of philosophy. Instead of focusing primarily on winning, he believes in focusing on the player’s well being, as well as winning.
“We needed to focus on each individual and make sure they have a positive experience,” Martinez said. “We do a better job than any other junior college at placing our players at four-year universities. We make sure they take the classes they need in order to transfer.”
Martinez, currently the “Coach of the Year” in the American Pacific Conference, diligently works to get his players’ scholarships so they can pursue football at four-year universities and says he is always thinking positively, which is the key to forming a good group of athletes.
While this season started of things around by beating Moorpark College.
The team endures intense practices, maintains strict diets, and are giving it all they can in order to be the best.
“The team has a lot of talent and can do really well,” said Exavier Johnson, one of the quarterbacks on the football team.
Johnson left Utah State University to get a fresh start at Pierce College because he knew coming to Pierce College would be the gateway to a brighter future.
“Pierce gives their athletes opportunities,” Johnson said. “They really care about helping us.”
Martinez’s long-term goal is to keep building a respectable football program so that players will choose Pierce College first.
However, with all of the awards and accolades this team has been getting it’s no secret that Pierce College’s football program will only continue to thrive. With their swarming defense and unstoppable offense, the Brahma Football team has what it takes to grab the bull by its horns and advance to the post-season once again.
“This can be the best year ever for the team,” Martinez said.
