Coming off a City Quarterfinal loss to San Pedro last year, the Gondos look to go even deeper in the playoffs in 2007. With the majority of the team's star-studded roster returning for another season, this year's version of the Gondoliers are one of the top rated teams in the Southland.

Head Coach Angelo Gasca is looking forward to the 2007 season. He said that if the team plays to the best of its ability, they will have a good chance of tasting victory in the City Championship. If the Gondos do win the City Title, they will be eligible to play for the State Title.

Tomorrow night, the Gondos head to Oaks Christian, in a rematch of last season's nationally televised game, although it figures to be very different this time around. Last year, the state champion Lions had a roster flooded with talent, and although the Lions are still a talented team, they lost a large percentage of their starters while the Gondos saw most of their roster return.

Among the players returning, are quarterback Richard Ragland, who is in his third year as the varsity starter. Ragland has a star studded offense to work with, including senior Jerry Johnston, who has already verbally committed to play at UCLA, and senior star tailback Curtis "Moody" McNeal, who will spend his college days as a USC Trojan.

Last week, the Gondos took the field against the Santa Monica Vikings.

For the first time in several years, the Gondos did not play the Loyola Cubs this year. The Gondos also did not see Carson this season.

The Gondos took on Taft in their first home game of the year on Sept 7, and won 35-27. The Gondos jumped out to a 35-0 lead, and appeared to have forced a fumble that would give them a chance to score again, but the referees ruled that the player was down and did not fumble. After that call, the game's momentum shifted dramatically, and Taft scored 27 unanswered points. With time running down and Taft marching down the field, the Gondos JR McConico came up with a clutch interception to close out the game for the Gondos.

The Gondos were also haunted by injuries in the second half. McNeal missed the majority of the second half with a minor concussion. McNeal was conscious and alert by the end of the game, but Gasca was not willing to risk re-injuring McNeal. The Gondos also lost Kevin Surki and Kris Johnston to injuries.

"We were fortunate to hold on and finish the game," Gasca said. "This was a good message for us about being focused. We were in control of the game and just lost focus. It showed how quickly a football game can turn around."

“Things happen in a game and sometimes it's a little screwy," said Gasca. " Good teams find a way to overcome that. Tonight we did, but I'd have to say there was some luck involved." said Gasca.

A week earlier, the Gondos kicked off their 2007 campaign with a 41-14 blowout win over San Fernando. The game was delayed because the sweltering heat caused the JV game to be pushed back until 5:15. San Fernando kept the game close in the first half, and the Gondos went into the locker room leading 14-7.

In the second half, the Gondos pulled ahead and never looked back, scoring almost twice as many points as they had in the first half.