Classical High seniors have turned it around as they travel north for state 6-AA championship game Saturday night against San Jose Santa Theresa

During an on-campus interview, Classical Academy football coach Josiah Cruz made a note to send a message of thanks to the mothers of players Life Pollard and Luke Sega.

Pollard, Classical’s all-purpose running back, and Sega, the team’s hard-nosed quarterback, said they’re at the Escondido school instead of Rancho Bernardo and El Camino, respectively, because of their mothers.

Pollard and Sega are two of the main reasons the Caimans have gone from worst-to-first — 2-19 over a 21-game span from 2019-2021 — to 11-3 this season and a berth in the State 6-AA Championship game Saturday at San Jose Santa Teresa.

“My mom wanted me to come here, not to play football, but for the academics,” said Sega, part of the Sega clan that played at El Camino High.

“My mother saw things academically here that she liked,” Pollard said. “Honestly, it was a struggle at first, but with help I was able to adapt.

“This is no ordinary school.”

Academically, Classical was named the 136^th-best school in the nation in preparing students for college by Newsweek, and No. 1 in San Diego for home buyers.

Because it’s an academy, Classical is open to all students regardless of school boundaries.

Classical attracts students from all over the county.

Read More of this article by John Maffei of the San Diego Union Tribune Here...