The Bruins football team will be leaving the El Camino league for the more competitive De Anza league next season, according to head coach Hank Roberts.

In the De Anza league, the Bruins will face higher division teams such as Los Gatos, Milpitas,  and SCHS’s historic rival, Wilcox.  

The committee of coaches from both leagues observed factors like SCHS’s JV team record, the number of returning all-league players, and how many seniors would be graduating to determine if the Bruins would move up, Roberts said.

The Bruins finished the season with a record of 9-1 overall, and 6-0 in the El Camino league. They then lost to North Salinas High in the first round of the Division IV Central Coast Section playoffs.

The Bruins had won the El Camino league championship in 2011, and they moved up and stayed in the De Anza league for three years after. Although they shifted down this season, the team has reclaimed its position in the higher league.

For the new season, with 18 seniors leaving, junior and sophomore players like wide receiver Pako Vehikite and quarterback Chris Brown will take on the leadership roles, Roberts said.

Besides the returners, Roberts will be moving up a few wide receivers and defensive backs from the JV team, which had an overall 6-4 record this season.

Although it will be a more challenging season next year, Roberts and the team has a positive attitude.

“We really believe in the philosophy ‘you versus yesterday’,” Roberts said. “We just work to be better people no matter who we’re playing.”

“We should have the mindset that we’re the better team, no matter who’s on the field,” Vehikite added.