WHAT: Ernest Akina, football coach at Lynwood Unified’s Firebaugh High School, will be honored as the Los Angeles County Coach of the Week by the Los Angeles Chargers for overcoming adversity and helping lead the Falcons to their first victory in three years.

Chargers staff members and cheerleaders will recognize coach Akina and present Firebaugh with a check for $1,000 during halftime at Firebaugh’s home game against Vasquez High School.

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 29, Prior to kickoff of Firebaugh High School vs. Vasquez High School (Game starts at 7 p.m.)

WHERE: Lynwood High School, 4050 E. Imperial Hwy, Lynwood, CA 90262

MORE: Firebaugh football entered this season winless since 2014, but ended its three-year losing streak with a 20-8 victory over New Designs Watts on Sept. 15. The team has since added another win and caught the attention of the Chargers’ program.

For nearly two decades, the Chargers have teamed up with the NFL to host the High School Coach of the Week program, which recognizes high school football coaches who have made a difference in the lives of their players through leadership, hard work and a special dedication to their young scholar athletes. The program honors exceptional coaches from Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.

Coaches are selected by a Coach of the Week selection committee that consists of local high school football aficionados from the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), media outlets and other high school sports organizations from each respective area. Coaches are selected based upon on-field performance, overcoming adversity, exceptional sportsmanship/leadership and football compliance.

MEDIA: Contact Jahmal Corner for more information at 206-579-4432.