Jacob Seymour is an ASU journalism student covering Carl Hayden High.

Success is the cornerstone of any football program, but the Carl Hayden Falcons have lacked success in the last quarter century.

When head coach Steven Arenas took over in 2020, he had one goal: creating a great team on and off the field. Since then, Arenas has tasked his players to be involved in their community and understand the history of the school.

“We definitely try to get out in the community a little bit,” Arenas said. “This past spring, we did a little bit of a Falcon Park cleanup. So, we walked down Roosevelt and cleaned up the street there. But one thing we try to do is get a lot of alumni out. A couple guys on my staff, at least two guys on my staff, played here, one in 2017 and one in 1986. So just getting those old guys to come back and share their stories, even though historically, there hasn't been a ton of success here.”

Community involvement is only one aspect of improving Carl Hayden. Arenas has created a slogan that allows the team to feel more connected to the community, which Arenas believes is crucial to the program’s success.

“We like to say, 'three-five','' he said. "I mean, we're a school in the inner city. On 35th Avenue Roosevelt. So that's something we take great pride in. We try to get our kids to take pride in their community. Take pride in coming from this neighborhood and staying here playing in the neighborhood. That's a big thing with everyone transferring these days, but I think that's something we're trying to give our kids pride in where they come from.”

Arenas isn’t naïve to the fact that it is difficult for these players to feel connected to their neighborhood. Historically, the Falcons have struggled at football and have been known for everything but football, which can skew the perspective Arenas wants his team to have. In the 2021 season – Arenas first full season as head coach – the Falcons finished 6-4, their first winning season in 25 years.

“I just think we set the bar last year for ourselves,” Arenas said. “And I think that group of seniors that we had really set a high level for them. And so, I think just reminding them that everything we do, every year, every practice, we're building that next brick. And so, I think that's kind of been our mantra  -- laying the next brick, every practice every game, every week.”

“I feel like last year drove us to become more committed to the team, showing us that we can have a good season, a good winning season coming from the school we are at,” junior defensive back/wide receiver Kendre Pride said.

The success in 2021 has allowed this season to add that much for the program and the Carl Hayden community.

“We're not trying to disappoint anybody because our expectations are a little bit higher from having a winning season last year,” Pride said. “So we try to live up to those.”

The program is hopeful that the results from last season can replicate this season, but also understand that it will have to put the work in to become the best possible team.

“Well, we just want to be better as a team,” sophomore quarterback Jonathan Montes said. “Wherever it takes to be better as a team, we'll do exactly that. And we're starting to throw the ball more. So hopefully that gets going.”