NPHS football continues with their winning streak
The Newbury Park Varsity football team shocked fans with a smashing victory against El Camino Real High School on Aug. 26 with an ending score of 51-0. Their victory did not end there, with another huge victory against Crespi High School on Sept. 2.
Carson Berry, junior, and the starting right tackle for the varsity team, has been playing football ever since he was little. “I’ve been around football my whole life, ever since I was little…it helps me get out my aggression and [helps] me when I’m stressed… it helps me take my mind off things,” Berry said.
Berry comments on the recent success that has found the team, saying that most of that success comes from their new coach, Joe Smigiel. “Coach Joe Smigiel came in and really changed everything…there’s pretty much a whole new culture in our locker room,” Berry said. In addition to Smigiel, coach Austin Cevita has created a whole new training regimen to help encourage the players’ success. “We also brought in coach Austin Cevita. He really gets on us for lifting and conditioning, so we’re a lot better conditioned than we’ve been in years past,” Berry said.
As Berry mentioned, coach Joe Smigiel has been a huge asset to the team this year. Coach Smigiel believes that the secret to being successful is about the team playing for each other. “Being successful so far is really about them playing for each other and believing in the process, believing in the team, believing in the coach and staff and believing in one another,” Smigiel said.
In addition to teaching his athletes how to play the best they can, coach Smigiel also encourages his team to give back to their community. “We do a lot of nonprofit stuff where we volunteer our time,” Smigiel said.
Coach Smigiel’s son, Brady Smigiel, freshman and quarterback for the varsity team, says one of his favorite National Football League (NFL) players of all time is Ben Roethlisberger, former quarterback for the Pittsuburg Steelers. “I love the Steelers, and that’s why I wear number seven, because of Ben Roethlisberger. I’ve been playing tackle [football] since a really young age and I’ve played seven, because of Ben,” w said.
Colin Lorentz, sophomore, who plays receiver and corner, is most excited for the Homecoming game this year. “I am most looking forward to the Homecoming game and just everything in general,” Lorentz said. He believes that a collection of aspects have made an impact on the team. “We changed almost everything and it has been successful,” Lorentz said.
Overall, the team’s success this year has not only helped school spirit, but it also gives the community something to look forward to. Berry mentions that he is most excited for the game against Thousand Oaks High School, coming up in a few days. “I’m really looking forward to the match against Thousand Oaks. We’re really fired up to play that team…We’re also excited for playoffs and just seeing how far we can go,” Berry said.
