Contreras had never won a playoff game; now the Cobras are in City semifinals

What a year it’s been for the Contreras High football team. Coach Manuel Guevara resigned in February when the school wouldn’t allow him to hold offseason workouts. Then he returned after school officials changed their minds.

Over the summer, immigration raids by ICE sowed fear among players and their parents, forcing 20 people to skip practice on a single day.

“Kids were sending me messages that their parents didn’t want them to leave their house,” Guevara said.

Then the team won its first-ever City Section playoff game on Nov. 7 since the school opened in 2007. The Condors are now in the City Section Division III semifinals against top-seeded Santee on Friday.

“It’s been a roller coaster year to say the least,” Guevara said.

Leading the team are starters Alex Vasquez and Randy Jones, both linebackers and running backs. Jones has 1,107 rushing yards and Vasquez has 720 yards. Jones, a guard, has been “an animal. He runs hard,” Guevara said.

This week’s challenge is finding a way to deal with All-City running back Darnell Miller, who had 311 yards and three touchdowns in Santee’s 44-35 win over Contreras on Sept. 12.

“He’s a special athlete,” Guevara said. “It goes from zero to full speed in a step and a half.”

Contreras beat Jefferson in the mud 20-14 on Friday. Contreras is hoping for another muddy field this week, but it’s Guevara’s turn to wash the jerseys. He’d like to go to the laundromat if it means his team reached the City Division III championship game.

This is a daily look at positive happenings in high school sports. To submit news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.