LAGUNA-ACOMA - Every senior that puts on the blue and silver uniform tomorrow knows they could be suiting up, for the last time. Without every last drop of energy being poured into the battle for position, one bad play could mean starting the bus.

Justin “Boots” Gallegos hands off before getting hit during a recent practice. The Hawks travel to Capitan to play a first round state playoff game on Saturday at 1 p.m.BEACON / TESHIMA

Coach Trent Spencer has been reinforcing those ideas to his upper classmen. And he said they've been listening.

    “We're still having some fun at practices, but they have been really good practices,” said Spencer.

Defensive Coach Modie Hicks said his 'D' will watch the second half of the team's first run with the Capitan Tigers. The Hawk defense shut down the Tigers' explosive run game for a total of zero points in the first half. Exhausted and wore down, the Hawks gave up the 10-0 lead to finish with a punishing 41-10 loss.

    This time, the Hawks said they will be ready.

    Conditioning with tires, ropes and good ol' fashion 100-yard sprints have made the unit a stronger and quicker team. On Saturday, the Tigers intend on testing that stamina again with a ferocious second quarter.

    The average lineman for Capitan hovers around 278 pounds, led by nose guard Andrew Chavez, 6' 4”, 344 pounds.

    The Hawks recently lost their starting nose guard Kiel Marmon and tackle Robert Riley. With two men down Coach Hicks said he'll be using lots of rotation to keep fresh legs in the game to cover the gaps.

    Tiger Coach Jason Highwater explained the phenomenon of Capitan being a second half team for the last three years.

“We have a Dr. Jekyll, Mr. Hyde tendency,” said Highwater, “we not really sure which one is going to show up.”

    After the beatdown L-A issued Capitan in the Sept. 25 matchup, Highwater said he had a “come-to-Jesus talk” with his players and they came out ready to play.

Had the Hawks converted an Austin Jones interception, and run back to the redzone, into points before the second half, it may have been enough to put the game away.

    If the Hawks get a comfortable lead early and choose not to let up, they could steal a win from the sixth ranked team in the state.

    Hicks and Spencer strongly agree - which sometimes doesn't happen often - their Hawks can win this game.

    Keys for victory for your Hawks: stamina and rotation to keep maximum output every down. Smart football, when the Hawks turn the ball over more than their opponents the chances to win drop close to zero. And finally, seniors.

    “All the seniors are going to have to have a big game,” said Spencer.

    “All those freshmen and sophomores will have to play like seniors,” said Coach Hicks.

Everyone will need the output that this is the final game, because it very well could be.

    Kickoff is set in Capitan at 1 p.m. tomorrow.