Fort Worth football team breaks 77-game losing streak

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth’s Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School won its first football game since 2010.

Diamond Hill-Jarvis beat Dallas' Conrad High School Thursday night 40-12. That ends the Eagle’s 77-game losing streak.

“It takes time being on the same page to get the kids to believe in themselves and stop listening to stuff around them,” said Head Football Coach Oscar Castillo.

The team has a new field house and training facility. It’s the kind of investment from the community that’s made them stronger, both physically and mentally.

“We’re still gonna work hard. Keep pushing and pushing looking forward to winning more games,” said player Eddrick Hampton.

Eighty is the record for the number of consecutive losses by a Texas high school football team. The last time the Eagles celebrated a win was in 2010 when the current players were elementary age.

“There were no fans. It was only the band and the cheerleaders. Probably 10-15 parents in the stands,” said Rachel Martinez, a player’s mom. “Last night, the stands were packed.”

This year, there was a different feel in the air.

“It’s very meaningful. It demonstrates a change in culture is happening here in our community and at Diamond Hill-Jarvis,” said Roxanne Martinez with the football team’s booster club. “Our kids are winners and do have winning attitudes.”

This was no come-from-behind win. The Eagles were ahead 16-0 at the half and never looked back.

“Whether we win or lose, we’re still trying to do the same thing next week,” Castillo said. “With the win, the streak is over. But the season’s not over. We still got 9 more games.”

“77-game losing streak snapped! Diamond Hill-Jarvis wins for first time since 2010. A new tradition started today for @DHJEagles Congratulations @DHJFOOTBALL1 #WeAreDiamondHill,” added Assistant Principal Jose Luna.

The school was just three games away from breaking the state’s record for the longest high school football losing streak.

Houston’s Jefferson Davis High School, which is now Northside High School, lost 80 games between 1985 and 1993.