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San Diego quarterback Khari Kimbrough scrambles against Francis Parker. Kimbrough and the Cavers are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2001. (Courtesy Photo)
Cavers carve out 3-0 start with family approach on and off field
For the past seven years, the San Diego High football team has not won more than three games in a single season. This year, the Cavers have met that mark in their first three games with an undefeated start.
“It wasn’t as difficult as it seems – it was more doing it,” said San Diego lineman Eric Jones. “We had to get in our heads that every year should be our year.”
For these Cavers, the journey to an unbeaten September began in the summer. In his second year heading up the varsity team, head coach Keir Kimbrough preached a team-first approach and preparation with a strength and conditioning program in the offseason.
“A lot of these kids didn’t want to play for the football team because they said the football team was sorry,” Kimbrough said. “My response was, ‘You can come help us get better.’”
Kimbrough, who also works on campus and serves as the Cavers’ track coach, promoted the football program within the local community. As a result, the Cavers have big rosters at each level within the program
“Our numbers are at all-time highs on all three levels – varsity, JV and freshman,” Kimbrough said. “That has been a plus.”
With those numbers in place, the next step was to shed a “me-first” attitude that plagued a program with had four one-win campaigns in the last six years. The Cavers became a family in offseason, bonding over more than just blitzes and blocking schemes.
“One Saturday night I just had all the kids meet me here at the field, bring their tents and we had a tent city down here; we had a sleepover,” Kimbrough said. “I put sheets over the goalposts and we watched movies from the LCD projector and we barbecued.”
The Cavers did sneak some football into the Balboa Stadium campout, but also learned about each other. That bonding created a family concept that has translated to success on the gridiron.
“This team is more like a family – encouraging and they don’t let you hold your heads down,” Kimbrough said. “They look out for one another and the uplift one another.”
After beating Calexico and Hilltop to start the season, San Diego faced a statement game against Francis Parker on Sept. 17. At home, the Cavers fell behind 14-0 early against one of section’s elite small school programs.
“This year, if we get punched we’re not going to let up,” Jones said. “We’re just going to keep going until we reach what we’re capable of really doing.”
Rather than sulk, San Diego came back to tie the game at halftime. In the second half the Cavers outscored the Lancers 27-7 en route to a decisive 41-21 victory.
“It was the best feeling because we have played them two years in a row and we got beat pretty good last year on our Homecoming,” Jones said. “After that 14 points, we decided that was it. We gave them one more touchdown and we didn’t let them score again.”
Against Francis Parker, senior defensive end Jehu Matthews led the way with eight tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. On offense, junior quarterback Khari Kimbrough – the coach’s son – threw for 215 yards and a touchdown.
“He started for us last year and we kind of threw him in the fire. This year you can see the change,” Kimbrough said. “He has told me the game is kind of slowing down for him. He takes what the defense is giving him, he’s really smart with the ball and he’s really using his weapons well.”
The Cavers host Morse (2-2) on Friday, trying to go 4-0 for the first time since 2001 when they went on to finish 8-3. To pack Balboa Stadium against the Central League rival Tigers, Kimbrough is planning a “white out,” giving free admission to students wearing white.
“We’re going to have white Terrible Caver Towels,” said Kimbrough, an admitted Pittsburgh Steelers fan. “It’s going to be fun with the kids in all-white and waiving towels.”
A rejuvenated team and community fan base paired with a slate that includes eight home games could make 2010 a landmark season for the Cavers. As their team shirts ask, “Why Not Us? Why Not Now?”
“We have to stay one and stay as a family. We have to stay humble and not get too overwhelmed about what we’re doing,” Jones said. “What we’re doing is great, but our goal is to go to ‘The Q.’”
An appearance in the Division I title game is certainly a lofty goal for San Diego. But before the season started, three wins seemed equally lofty.
San Diego quarterback Khari Kimbrough scrambles against Francis Parker. Kimbrough and the Cavers are off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2001. (Courtesy Photo)
Cavers carve out 3-0 start with family approach on and off field
For the past seven years, the San Diego High football team has not won more than three games in a single season. This year, the Cavers have met that mark in their first three games with an undefeated start.
“It wasn’t as difficult as it seems – it was more doing it,” said San Diego lineman Eric Jones. “We had to get in our heads that every year should be our year.”
For these Cavers, the journey to an unbeaten September began in the summer. In his second year heading up the varsity team, head coach Keir Kimbrough preached a team-first approach and preparation with a strength and conditioning program in the offseason.
“A lot of these kids didn’t want to play for the football team because they said the football team was sorry,” Kimbrough said. “My response was, ‘You can come help us get better.’”
Kimbrough, who also works on campus and serves as the Cavers’ track coach, promoted the football program within the local community. As a result, the Cavers have big rosters at each level within the program
“Our numbers are at all-time highs on all three levels – varsity, JV and freshman,” Kimbrough said. “That has been a plus.”
With those numbers in place, the next step was to shed a “me-first” attitude that plagued a program with had four one-win campaigns in the last six years. The Cavers became a family in offseason, bonding over more than just blitzes and blocking schemes.
“One Saturday night I just had all the kids meet me here at the field, bring their tents and we had a tent city down here; we had a sleepover,” Kimbrough said. “I put sheets over the goalposts and we watched movies from the LCD projector and we barbecued.”
The Cavers did sneak some football into the Balboa Stadium campout, but also learned about each other. That bonding created a family concept that has translated to success on the gridiron.
“This team is more like a family – encouraging and they don’t let you hold your heads down,” Kimbrough said. “They look out for one another and the uplift one another.”
After beating Calexico and Hilltop to start the season, San Diego faced a statement game against Francis Parker on Sept. 17. At home, the Cavers fell behind 14-0 early against one of section’s elite small school programs.
“This year, if we get punched we’re not going to let up,” Jones said. “We’re just going to keep going until we reach what we’re capable of really doing.”
Rather than sulk, San Diego came back to tie the game at halftime. In the second half the Cavers outscored the Lancers 27-7 en route to a decisive 41-21 victory.
“It was the best feeling because we have played them two years in a row and we got beat pretty good last year on our Homecoming,” Jones said. “After that 14 points, we decided that was it. We gave them one more touchdown and we didn’t let them score again.”
Against Francis Parker, senior defensive end Jehu Matthews led the way with eight tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. On offense, junior quarterback Khari Kimbrough – the coach’s son – threw for 215 yards and a touchdown.
“He started for us last year and we kind of threw him in the fire. This year you can see the change,” Kimbrough said. “He has told me the game is kind of slowing down for him. He takes what the defense is giving him, he’s really smart with the ball and he’s really using his weapons well.”
The Cavers host Morse (2-2) on Friday, trying to go 4-0 for the first time since 2001 when they went on to finish 8-3. To pack Balboa Stadium against the Central League rival Tigers, Kimbrough is planning a “white out,” giving free admission to students wearing white.
“We’re going to have white Terrible Caver Towels,” said Kimbrough, an admitted Pittsburgh Steelers fan. “It’s going to be fun with the kids in all-white and waiving towels.”
A rejuvenated team and community fan base paired with a slate that includes eight home games could make 2010 a landmark season for the Cavers. As their team shirts ask, “Why Not Us? Why Not Now?”
“We have to stay one and stay as a family. We have to stay humble and not get too overwhelmed about what we’re doing,” Jones said. “What we’re doing is great, but our goal is to go to ‘The Q.’”
An appearance in the Division I title game is certainly a lofty goal for San Diego. But before the season started, three wins seemed equally lofty.