Here in 2007, Clovis West High School's Golden Eagle football squad, had been struggling and inconsistent in the first seven weeks of this season with a record of 3 wins, 3 losses, and a tie. Many thought,with all the Eagles big guns, they would run the season table undefeated. When coach Jim Hartigan left to coach in So-Cal three months before the season was to start, Marty Martin, another successful coach from the southland, was hired to lead the Eagles. And with well known names returning, such as QB, Beau Sweeney (who had already signed to play his college ball at PAC 10 powerhouse, Cal), and the likes of Matt Jelmini, Kyle Negretti, Travis Brown, Jake Day, Troy Rush, along with a place kicker, Nick Rolf, who could not only score, but who could constantly send kickoffs into the end zone, the Eagles were pretty scary. The talent list went deep as it looked like this was going to be one of the best teams ever in the storied Golden Eagle history book. For one reason or another, sometimes that's just not the way the ball bounces. First of all coach Martin had little time to get things in place with such short notice after the abrupt departure of Hartigan. Then again, with all that talent and good coaching, what could go wrong? There was a feeling that this year was going to be a special one, for one and all in Eagleland.

The season got underway with a victory over Liberty(Bakersfield) in 108 degree heat (Welcome to the Valley, Coach!), followed by another victory over a good El Diamante team. Then (enter a sound of tires screeching to a halt here), then the lights went out in the third game, both literrally and figuratively, against Edison, as the Eagles blew a 14 point lead in the 4th quarter, and the lights at Sunnyside Stadium went off with Clovis West on the 4 yard line in overtime. That bad night for the Eagles got a whole lot worse when the news came down that star running back, Matt Jelmini's injured ankle was serious and he was out indefinitely. Then there was the shocking loss to the Bullard Knights, as a Eagle field goal attempt was blocked to end the game with Clovis West losing 28-25. Next, the Eagles seemed to regroup as they played well in Corona down south, but still losing , 31-24 , to state powerhouse, and second ranked Centennial Huskies.

An unimpressive 15 to 12 victory over Central came next , a game in which the Eagles led 15-0 at the half and went scoreless in the second half. It was during this period that the Eagles lost 4 more players, 3 of them starters, due to disciplinary penalties for undisclosed reasons. Another 28-25 loss followed, this time to dark horse Buchanan after another dismal second half in which the Eagles could only muster 3 points. It was certainly a low point for Clovis West football. Coach Marty Martin said, "Yes, it's been rough, but I believe in this team, and we will succeed. We've been through a lot, but our practices have been getting better and these kids are not going to quit. Don't count us out yet."

It was like the the pressure was coming from everywhere on the Golden Eagles, especially with rival Clovis East ready to send their pack of Timberwolves into Veterans Memorial Stadium to finish them off. The Wolves were coming in riding a three game winning streak including a big 35-14 win over Central the previous week.

The Eagles made some changes for the East game, that would give new life to the cause. Newly named Offensive Cordinator, Casey Quinn, would be calling the plays for the Eagles, allowing coach Martin to concentrate on game management and running the practices, which continued to get better. With the coaching staff all clicking and the players working hard as well, the team continued to improve and by game time on Friday, the Eagles were set for take off, and the sleeping giant was awakening. (By the way, three of Jim Sweeney's grandchildren, Sweeney, Negrete, and Nathan Fellner, helped lead the way). as Clovis West played their best game of the year so far, beating the powerful Timberwolves in all facets of the game enroute to a 20-10 victory. The Eagles didn't score in the second half, but the defense rose to the occasion in the four quarter victory, coming up with some big stops of the Wolves double wing machine. Special teams play came up big as well, especially with two great punts by Negrete, put the Wolves with their backs to there own goal line.