Buena Park's football program was just dismal.
After Anthony White was hired as head coach, he's turned things around.
After Thursday night's 42-21 win over Sonora, the Coyotes improve to 8-1 on the season and qualify for the playoffs for the fourth time in White's five seasons. A huge part of the success recently has been wide receiver/defensive back Jaylinn Hawkins.
In the playoff-clinching win Thursday, he had an interception on the defensive side of the ball and offensively, had 10 catches for 168 yards and three touchdowns. Hawkins is proud to be a part of the Buena Park resurgence, saying it helps him work hard, stay humble, and motivated.
The four-star recruit is considered one of the Top-10 wide receivers in the West -- he's also a member of the Coyotes soccer team.
Meanwhile, here's 10 things to know about him:
Nickname
You could call "J-Hawk" a family nickname.
"Ever since I was growing up, my whole family had the first letter of their name and the last Hawk because the last name is Hawkins," he said. "We all play football. My uncle D-Hawk, they'll call my other cousin A-Hawk because his name is Aaron. So they just started calling me J-Hawk."
Favorite team
Hawkins has been a Chargers fan for as long as he can remember.
Late-night snack
Hawkins likes to show off his sandwich artistry skills and usually makes either a turkey club or a chicken sandwich to go along with chips.
Favorite meal
Hawkins is a huge fan of Mexican food. For his favorite meal he has to go with nachos -- with the works.
"Sour cream, beans, chicken, salsa, guacamole," Hawkins said. "Everything."
Favorite movie
"The whole movie is cool," he said. "It's just a chill movie to watch."
Who would play you in a movie?
Hawkins would likely have to pick his little brother, JoJo. The 13-year-old would be able to nail big bro on the big screen.
Best sports memory
During his Pop Warner days, Hawkins played in Garden Grove. His team was playing a squad from Inglewood that hadn't lost in years -- Hawkins helped changed that.
"I broke a 99-yarder (on the) last play," Hawkins recalled. "We were playing an undefeated team that's been undefeated for like two or three years and broke the streak. I broke (out of the Wildcat) and I was gone for 99 yards and we won the game for the team. That was a pretty cool memory."
No. 4
Hawkins chose No. 4 as a change of pace.
"To be honest, my true number is 21," he explains. "Four was just a number that felt different. I just, kind of, wanted to switch it up on my own and of all the numbers I chose four."
Pregame ritual
Before games, Hawkins says his prayers and reads one of two Bible verses -- one being Philippians 4:13. After that, he listens to music to get himself hyped for the game.
Celebrity crush
Lauren London.
