Bell High School's varsity football team prays before its game against rival Huntington Park on Nov. 5. Because of the corruption scandals at City Hall, many former donors have stopped giving to the football program.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Bell High School lineman Daniel Martinez gets ready for the game against Huntington Park. The cash-strapped football program has asked team members to sell churros to pay for painting yard lines on the field.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Injured senior linebacker Anthony Mendoza hobbles through the Bell High School locker room as his teammates prepare for their game against Huntington Park. "For the next 48 minutes," he shouted, "I want nothing but all-out GAME!"

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Bell football Coach Frank Medina looks out over the field before a home game. He also teaches history and government, and he sees an important lesson in the scandal at City Hall.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=15740

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With fists pumping and spirits high, the Bell football team gathers for group cheers before their home game against Huntington Park. The Eagles won their first three games this year but have had only one winning season since 2004.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=15741

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The Bell squad takes the field against Huntington Park. At the team's first game this year, a sign in the opposing stands greeted the players with: "Here Come The Crooks."

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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The Bell players await the start of their game against Huntington Park. As a coach, Frank Medina's job this year has been to keep his team focused on football.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Bell senior running back Julian Leon is tackled in front of Coach Frank Medina and teammates in the Eagles' Nov. 5 game against Huntingon Park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Bell High School lineman Christian Pineda, center, tries to boost teammates' morale during halftime of the Eagles' loss to Huntington Park.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Coach Frank Medina rests for a moment after delivering 20 boxes of freshly baked churros to his office at Bell High School.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Senior linebacker Joseph Lara and senior center David Salina walk the hallways at Bell High School, selling churros for $1 each.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

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Senior linebacker Joseph Lara stands at the front entrance to Bell High School before class, selling churros for $1 each.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=15748

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Students work the snack bar at a junior varsity game. The team budget of $15,000, half of what it was four decades ago, must be supplemented wilth donations and fundraisers.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=15749

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A helmet hangs from a locker in the Bell High School varsity football fieldhouse. Coach Medina is teaching his students that what happened at City Hall should be a wakeup call to Bell's residents.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=15750

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