LQHS’ football was dealt a loss to the Roosevelt High Mustangs, following their previous home game victory, in a non-conference game on Sept. 22. The Blackhawks had a rocky start with only one touchdown scored in the first half by Derrick Kennedy (11), star offensive end, with a 35-yard rush, ending with a score of 27-10.

Kennedy stated, “I feel really good about how things have been going, as of late. DVL is [assured] and we gonna go all the way to CIF.”  Despite their best efforts, the Mustangs proved to be the abler opponent and concluded the match with an astonishing score of 48-17. This served as the Blackhawks’ final preseason game until DVL season begins against Palm Springs Indians on Sept. 29.

LQ sought redemption on their home turf against the Notre Dame Titans on Sept. 19. Debuting sophomore quarterback Christian Egson continued to impress as the Blackhawks’ starter under center. LQ led the first half by a score of 14-10, after Egson threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to senior Logan Prescott. With the combined skills of Egson’s accuracy and Kennedy’s speed, they scored two touchdowns and outplayed the Titans. The game resulted in a score of 28-13.

LQ’s match against the Rancho Mirage Rattlers on Sept. 8 concluded in a devastating loss of 21-38, worsening their rivalry. Despite the best efforts from Egson, who threw a two-point conversion pass to senior Robert Smoot and had a touchdown rush in the first quarter, they were unable to win.

After a historic DVL win last season, in which Head Coach Armstrong was set to retire and pass on the legacy to a successor, Armstrong returned after a short-lived retirement, alongside new athletic director, Coach Ruiz. Despite losing star players Benji Cordova, who was voted best offensive and defensive player by the Desert Sun, quarterback Justin Anderson, and all-league safety Ricky Vargas, the team seems steadfast and certain of the upcoming season.

“I’m just not ready to let go of all the hard work that I’ve spent in the past [twenty years] helping mold the best team around,” stated Armstrong. “It’s hard to let go of something like that.”