Norwalk tops Bell for first season victory

Photo by Vincent Medina

NORWALK – The Norwalk High School Lancers defeated the Bell High School eagles, 29-6, in their first victory of the football season last Friday.

Students cheered in the bleachers, waving their yellow and purple streamers as the marching band played their fight song.

Jay Goodlow, #6, scored three touchdowns throughout the game. In the second quarter, the high school senior ran an 89-yard touchdown.

“I was just thinking to get some yards,” said an out-of-breath Goodlow. “I thought somebody was going to catch up to me, but I just ran it.”

Goodlow went on to run a 72 yard touchdown and a 59 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“He’s one of our starting wingbacks. We’ve been waiting for him to have a breakout night, and he really came out,” said head coach Ruben Guerro.

During the game, notable plays were made by #31, David Herrera, who scored a 45-yard touchdown. David Castillo, #55, also ran a 34-yard touchdown, but injured his wrist during a tackle.

Guerro also noted quarterback Caden Barnhil did excellent as well.

“All around the board the kids did well. I’m very proud of them,” said Guerro.

The game was Guerro’s first win with the team, but he has an extensive history with the school. Guerro played football for the lancers when he attended Norwalk High in 1993.

He starts the season with determination, and a goal to bring the city together.

“I want to have a season that our city, our students, our school, and our community can be proud of. I want to have a breakout season for the kids as well,” said Guerro. “I’m going to keep plugging forward and help these guys have the best season they can have.”

Principal David Olea attended the game, and expressed his faith in coach Guerro.

“Guerro is a Norwalk Alumni,” Olea said. “He went here, he played here. He’s got skin in the game, and he’s connected to the community.”

The school’s marching band also attended the game, led by their new band director Romero Castinado.

The new director encouraged the band to cheer and stomp the stands during the game, which helped excite the fans.

“I wanted them to get excited about being part of a band, to play music and to be at the games, so it doesn’t feel like homework or just part of the class,” said Castinado.

While they played the high school fight song and familiar percussion cadences, Castinado plans to add new music to the band.

“This week we focused on pep-tunes they were familiar with, but next week we will focus on rock, pop, and ‘80s,” he said. “We’ll learn ‘Rock Lobster,’ ‘Shout,’ think ‘80s music and we will have it.”

When the Lancers sealed their victory at the end of the game, a new tradition was introduced.

From now on, whenever the football team wins, a yellow flag will be raised above the field to mark their victory.