One kid didn't cry

Pretty much everybody of the Lighthouse Saints was crying, or fighting back tears, after their football loss Saturday -- everybody except David Hutchinson.

The 14-20 heartbreak loss against La Verne Calvary Chapel, a similarly small school, left Lighthouse Christian Academy dejected.

But David remained buoyant, perhaps because he has experienced worse losses, namely that of his parents, who went MIA. He's now adopted by his grandparents. He wasn't doing well in a previous school before coming to Lighthouse.

"Even when we lose, football is fun because it brings us all together like brothers," the sophomore said after the game. "We played our hardest. It's made me stronger and closer with all the boys. We know we've got each other's backs no matter what. We have a love for each other.

"At this school, the teachers actually care. In other schools, the teachers don't care. They're just doing it for the money. And the students are the best. They're like a family. It really touches you when the teachers actually care."

Cue the warm fuzzies.

So not everybody went home dejected. It's important to keep perspective: the battles won off the field or more important than those lost on the field.

On the gridiron, there was abundant reason to be frustrated. "We always lose no matter how well or hard we play," moaned one student, whom David spent time trying to encourage after the game.

The Saints had the edge on offense and defense. They could move the ball on offense and stop the Cougars on defense.

But the Saints made three mistakes on defense -- and paid dearly with three touchdowns.

"Three plays, that's all it was," surmised Coach Zach Scribner. "Two times the quarterback got outside of us. Our mistakes. That's all it is."

The Saints made two touchdowns and were on their way to a third touchdown when a player fumbled for a Cougar recovery and wild run for a touchdown.

On its last drive to even up the score (and win with a conversion) late in the fourth quarter, LCA threw an interception with 1:30 left on the clock. That was the end of the game.

David had an outstanding game. A street tough from Venice, he is just now understanding the intricacies of football. As a result, he made about 12 tackles Saturday, a record for him.

"I wish I understood this game at the beginning of the season the way I do now," David said.

Here are prior articles:

• Against Teach Tech.
• Against Downey Calvary Chapel
• Against Beacon Hill Classical Academy.

• Against Milken Community School.
• Against Meadows School.
• Against Hillcrest Christian.