This time the Knuckleheads -- the surprising chess champions from drought-weary Mendota where almost half of the Central Valley town is unemployed -- knew they had a chance.
Going into the state championship last year, it had never occurred to the Mendota High School players or their coach, Vaness French, that they could win against teams from more affluent towns.
Last weekend going into the National Scholastic Championship in Santa Clara, "we knew we had a shot but that it wasn't going to be easy. This is nationals. Anyone weak is going to be served up as sushi," French said.
At first, it was ugly.
"Our kids got whipped in the first rounds," said "Tio" Ernie Lozano, the team's longstanding mentor. "They were so down and dejected, but they weren't giving up."
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