JOHN GASTALDO / Union-Tribune From left to right, Kevin Veldkamp, David Baker, Clinton Parker and David Stout and their Calvin Christian teammates put together the bleachers for their school.

ESCONDIDO – In addition to calling signals for the unbeaten Calvin Christian High football team, senior quarterback David Stout has addressed the Escondido City Council to shed light on the school's second-year program.

Specifically, Stout sought approval for lights on the Crusaders' football field last month amid concerns voiced by some neighbors about additional nighttime activity and noise. Permission was granted, allowing Calvin Christian to install lights in time for next season.

“Basically, I said that we'd love to have the lights so that we can play on Friday nights (at home),” said Stout, who was accompanied by five teammates. “It's a great atmosphere playing at night. We wanted that experience, too.”

Part of establishing a foundation for the Crusaders program has meant breaking out construction tools.

The whole team helped out one Saturday morning to put together new bleachers, which were obtained through a grant from the Chargers along with some practice equipment. The project boosted seating by 200, adding to smaller stands already in place.

“We were asked to help, and so we did,” said senior Clinton Parker, who does the kicking for Calvin Christian and fills roles on offense and defense. “We worked pretty hard. Mainly, it was screwing things together. It seemed like there were a thousand pieces.”

A building process also has taken place on the field for the private school, which has an enrollment of about 200. The Crusaders won three of their final four games last year to finish 3-4. This season, they are 7-0.

“We want to be a team that everyone looks at on the schedule and then frowns,” Parker said. “They'll go, 'Oh, no, we have to play that team.' ”

Stout and Parker could be considered team foremen along with fellow seniors David Parker and Kevin Veldkamp. All are two-way performers who also compete in basketball and track.

Calvin Christian's varsity and JV football teams combined have 38 players, most of whom didn't play organized football until the school started the program. From last year's group, seven seniors graduated.

“We came to work right away this season,” said Stout, considering the impact of last year's experience. “There wasn't that (basic) learning the first couple of weeks. So that helped us.”

From the outset, Crusaders coach Wally Zittle said the program has benefited from receptive players.

“It's a great group of kids,” said Zittle, who previously coached at San Pasqual Academy, guiding the Dragons to the eight-man finals in 2004. “They're devoted. We work them pretty hard, and there are no complaints.”

After playing as an independent last year, Calvin Christian joined the Southern League this season. The Crusaders will face their toughest tests of the regular season in the final two weeks – Friday against Julian and Nov. 14 against Foothills Christian. All three teams are bidding for berths in the San Diego Section Division V playoffs.

Calvin Christian has used a balanced attack to average nearly 45 points a game this season, and the Crusaders have given up fewer than 12 points a game.

“We're setting the foundation, setting the standard,” Stout said, “so that people in the future can say we want to be like that team.”

They want to be seen in the right light.