From 3rd and Long to 1st and Goal: Retrospective of Atherton Football

Lucas Selch and David Bussell • January 9, 2026

John McDougal Atherton High School started as an all-girls school in 1924, not becoming co-ed until 1950. That same year, the school started its football program. For 23 years, Atherton was a laughing stock, a “bye week” for teams.

In 1955, Atherton High School shocked the local sports scene by beating Male in a pouring rain battle.

“The 1955 team will always stand out in the memories of those of us enrolled at the time due to the victory over Male on that rainy night at Male’s Maxwell Field when Frank Payne muscled through Male’s highly touted defensive line to score the only touchdown of the game,” said Atherton alumnus David Tilford.

In 1973, Atherton had its first dominant winning season at a 9-1 record. After a short 3-year break from winning, Atherton came back in the ‘76 season with a 6-5 record.

After that, it was back to old Atherton; there was not a recorded winning season for another 45 years. From 1977 to 2018, Atherton had a losing season over and over again. After Anthony White became the team’s coach in May of 2019, the football team started to turn around.

In 2021, Atherton won its first playoff game in its 72-year run, and the 2026 senior class is leaving with 4 straight winning seasons and a district title for the first time in school history.

Finishing the season 12-2 exceeded many people’s already lofty expectations. Every time the Ravens would go and play a “good” team, they were underdogs. With one of the more challenging schedules, at .61779 RPI (Ratings Percentage Index), which makes the team 6th in the state.

For the first time in almost 20 years, the Ravens played Manual. One of the top football teams in the state, and Atherton gave them a run for their money. Even though the Ravens lost 21-33 to DuPont, it was a show of how dominant this team can be.

The Ravens made a strong run through the playoffs. For the first time in school history, the Ravens beat the Bowling Green Purples 49-21, bringing the Ravens to the semifinals. Even though they lost, it just goes to show how much hard work this team has put in.

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About the Contributors

Lucas Selch, Photo Editor

Lucas Selch, a senior here at Atherton, is excited to get the word out about the Aerial and help it grow during his first year on staff. He plans on being a photo editor, photographer, and writer for our news. He is looking to be a photo journalist after high school, which makes him even more excited to be a part of the Aerial. Selch is also in the media arts pathway, which furthers this goal. Lucas is a very creative person, some of his biggest hobbies being music and photography. Outside of school, Selch is in two local bands, Gaia, and Sweet Easy Listening, where he plays the bass. He loves all types of rock music including punk, prog, and psyche. He has a love for Jimmy Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and occasionally Limp Bizkit. His favorite movie is 10 Things I Hate About You, being introduced to it by his girlfriend. At home, he lives with his parents, sister, two brothers, and his two huskies. Lucas plans on using his creative talents to help us expand, and is very excited for what’s to come.

David Bussell, Sportswriter

David Bussell (12) is joining the Aerial staff for the 25-26 school year. Bussell is excited to cover more sports news and club info on the aerial page and is ready to refine his writing, become a better interviewer, and to continue to improve as a photographer. He is looking forward to mixing his passions of photography and writing and making himself the best he can. Outside of school Bussell loves to work on cars, take photos, and listen to music. He loves a variety of music genres including: Country, Rap, Nu Metal, and Rock. After school he plans on going to college to major in something in the medical field and continue journalism, Bussell is an only child with his Mom Dad and dog Mila. He currently works at the JCC as a tutor for jewish kids teaching them Hebrew. He loves all things racing including Nascar his favorite driver being Mark Martin, but enjoys racing movies too such as: the Fast and Furious and Baby Driver.