Four years ago seems like an eternity in Compton. Entering his second year as head coach Calvin Bryant was already struggling to bolster his thin ranks, when he received a call weeks before season’s start informing him that more than half of his team was deemed academically ineligible. As they say, the show must go on, and Bryant’s depleted squad proceeded to go 0-10. Since, Bryant has renewed Compton’s focus on academics, while maintaining his team’s gritty intensity. As a result, Compton has made three successive trips to the postseason, which included their first postseason win since 1979.

Those three playoff appearances can be largely credited to Bryant’s direction, as well as phenom running back Donald Green. Now that Green has graduated, Bryant will have to turn to a new generation of Compton players to try and continue their newfound winning ways. The biggest name to watch will be Curry Williams, Green’s replacement at running back. Carrying the ball only 98 times last year, Williams averaged over 11.5 yards per carry. If you’re counting, that’s 1,143 yards, with 16 TDs. Williams doesn’t have the flat-out speed in Green’s arsenal, but he’s a strong power back who’s well-accustomed to Bryant’s wing-T offensive set. Not to mention Compton’s reputation for swarming, aggressive defense, which returns strong-tackling linebackers Chris Metcalf and Byron Walker.

Bryant and this year’s team have a tough road to hoe with their schedule, though. Their first five games are going to be played on the road, including a tough match against cross-town rivals Dominguez. Even if they make it out of the front end, they’ve still only got three games at home—their closer, against Lakewood, could decide both teams’ playoff fates. Depth will always be an issue at Compton, but they can answer the question of consistency with another playoff appearance.

COMPTON TARBABES 2008 SCHEDULE – All games start at 7pm
Sept. 5 at Bloomington
Sept. 19 at Dominguez
Sept. 26 at Granada Hills Kennedy
Oct. 3 at Cabrillo
Oct. 10 at Wilson
Oct. 24 vs. Jordan
Oct. 31 vs. Millikan
Nov. 7 vs. Poly at Veterans Stadium
Nov. 14 vs. Lakewood