After a long and hard season, the football team won their last game before playoffs on Friday Nov. 1. The game was packed with excited students and parents, but the road to the playoffs did not come easy for the athletes. 

Elijah Costa, starting safety and kicker, talked about his path to varsity and his newfound success. Costa attributed his and the team’s success this season to hard work in both the weightroom and the field, a new mindset and a brotherhood like no other.

“This year’s team works harder,” Costa said. “We have a better mindset compared to last year.” 

Last year was the first time the football team missed the playoffs in eight seasons, and was a wake up call to Costa and the team. It was Costa’s first year on varsity, and after the shock of missing the playoffs last season, he was left with a bitter taste that he vowed to never experience again. 

Costa learned what it takes to go to playoffs last year, because of that he and the team managed to flip the script of their standing in the district this season. 

“I’ve learned to have a positive mindset no matter the situation,” Costa said. ”And to work hard every play.” 

This new determination fueled by the anger of a season ended too soon for Costa has led to the success he has experienced this season. Costa’s first year starting at both kicker and safety lacks no statistics to show for it, as he ranks third in the district with 55 total tackles and leads the district in made PATs. 

With his team preparing for playoffs following a season to remember, Costa feels as confident as ever.  Recalling the team’s close loss early in the season to a powerful opponent in Pasadena Dobie, Costa reflected on his experience.

“This season helped us prepare for the playoffs,” Costa said. ”We worked hard throughout the season and this season shows us that we can beat anyone.”

Riding high on a 6-3 record, a drastic improvement from last year’s 4-6 record entering this point in the season, Costa is fully focused on continuing his personal success as well as the team’s into the playoffs, in hopes of finishing this season with a sweeter taste than he remembers from last year, and that was a taste that he will never forget.