by Blake Fabre // Photography Editor
In Fall 2019, Carson High School announced it’s football team’s partnership with the LA Wildcats XFL Team. On Tuesday, October 22nd, at 4pm, the campus staff held a ceremony celebrating the partnership between the LA Wildcats and Carson Complex sports. The free student-attended rally was advertised as a way to spread colt love and excitement throughout the Carson Complex. The rally featured many student athletes and LAUSD administrators who helped to honor and wish good luck to the hopeful student athletes.Previous to the rally, the student athletes and Marching Blue Thunder band members were gifted with LA Wildcats shirts from the XFL.
But, what is the XFL? The XFL is a football league of its own. Although similar to the well-known NFL, the two leagues have some key differences. It follows the same basic rule structure regarding the physical game, barring a few changes as a result of the founder Vince McMahon’s efforts to differentiate the two leagues. The changes are said to be quite liberal, concerning things such as changing the coin toss portion of the game into a “scramble” situation where one player from each team would race to take possession of the ball, fully allowing post-touchdown celebrations with no penalties and letting players have nicknames on the back of their jerseys. These nicknames were intended to become a given player’s staple, like a WWE wrestler would have. McMahon is also the executor of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.).
The LA Wildcats are one of the eight XFL teams in the league and are conveniently playing all home games in the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. Some students worry that the city might get a little more crowded, but still share their excitement for this professional team playing in their city.
Carson High School senior Tyler Rivas, who is the starting center on CHS’s varsity football team, explained, “I’m really excited that the team [ the LA Wildcats] will be playing in Carson.”
He elaborated by saying that the XFL has also offered free tickets to the home games at Dignity Health Sports Park to the entirity of the Carson High football team.
“I’m planning on going to a lot of the games when the time comes,” said Rivas.
Although the festivities were held at Carson High School’s Gene Vollnogle Field, the entire District is celebrating the partnership. This partnership entails the extension of the League Professional’s knowledge and training. They are offering a coaching program, entitled “Coaches Coaching Coaches” where coaches can speak with each other about strategies, experiences, accomplishments and football philosophies. Professionals are also teaching field clinics many useful techniques and fundamentals and offering that same training to many Beyond The Bell programs.
Carson Complex students and staff along with the rest of LAUSD are thrilled about everything the XFL partnership is offering. The many opportunities including professionally led workshops and awesome free t-shirts are leaving the school population buzzing with excitement for the LA Wildcats and Carson Colt love.
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