Football: The South Gate turnaround story continues

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There’s a feeling sometimes in the City Section that it’s very difficult to turn around a football program. First-year Coach Jose Casagran at South Gate is showing how to make it happen.

He was last a head coach in 2003 at Los Angeles Roosevelt. He was recruited to make the Rams competitive again in the Eastern League, and what a start they’ve had.

Their 34-24 win over Locke on Friday night makes South Gate 3-0 in nonleague games. Tight end Gustavo Zatarain caught four passes for 70 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Eddie Flores completed 18 of 24 passes for 187 yards. Lavell Thompson rushed for 109 yards and scored two touchdowns.

‘The principal is very happy,’ Casagran.

So are South Gate fans. The players are performing well, and they believe in their coaching staff.

Last season, South Gate was 3-7.

‘I think they see the team is playing hard,’ Casagran said.

That’s all a coach can ask for.

-- Eric Sondheimer