I hate the preseason. Let’s just put that out there to start with. Name the sport – football, baseball, basketball, whatever – and I can’t stand the practice contests. The bottom line is nobody cares who wins! The players don’t, the coaches don’t, and I certainly don’t.
Take the 49ers–Raiders game last weekend. Didn’t watch one second. What was the point? The game didn’t count. But when the teams square off on Oct. 8, you can bet I’ll be as interested as anybody to see who wins the cross-bay grudge match.
Preseason is just that. Pre – season. As in before the season starts. Wake me up when we’re playing for real. But until then, I’m all set.
Except tonight.
When Rich Hammond brings his Gilroy Mustangs into Hollister for a football scrimmage with San Benito, I have to admit I’ll be as interested as anybody outside of the coaching staffs. The former San Benito player and assistant coach opening his tenure at Gilroy by matching wits with former colleagues? That’s good stuff.
Even though the teams are just going to be running basic plays and no score will be kept, blah, blah, blah, a closer look shows they’re both eager to take stock of their units by running roughshod over the other.
“It gives us an opportunity to see where we’re at, if we can bring it,” said Hammond, the first-year Gilroy head coach who starred as a ‘Baler safety in the mid ’90s and later served as a position coach at San Benito en route to the Santa Clara High head coaching post.
After taking pains to explain how much respect he has for ‘Balers head coach Chris Cameron, Hammond said there is extra incentive in going head-to-head with his mentor. “There is an excitement that maybe I have an opportunity this year to show Chris what I’ve learned,” the Gilroy coach said. “Yeah, I’m excited. You always want to do good when you go back home. There’s no ifs, ands or buts about it. That’s the honest truth.”
Hammond’s former boss has no doubt his one-time pupil has designs on a triumphant return, scrimmage or not.
“Deep down inside, I’m sure he can’t wait for us,” said Cameron, who finally knocked off his mentor, Ed Buller, in San Benito’s Central Coast Section championship over Oak Grove last December.
Added ‘Balers defensive coordinator Tod Thatcher: “I know it’s going to be a little added incentive on both sides of the ball.”
Beyond the reunion at Andy Hardin Stadium, it’ll be fascinating to get a first look at the Hammond-led Mustangs. After a disappointing 5-5 campaign last year, an entire town is itching to see just what the new coach has to offer.
Prediction: Gilroy fans will do a double take when they get a load of the intensity this guy brings to the sidelines. A double take and then a smile.
If my impression from a de facto SCVAL El Camino Division championship game against Los Altos in 2005 was any indication, Hammond has no problem being the heavy, the in-your-face, ‘my way or the highway’ coach one minute. But then he’ll be his players’ biggest cheerleader the next. Call it good cop, bad cop, all in one.
How will the Mustangs respond? Tonight will be our first chance to gauge.
The scrimmage also offers the unveiling of the defending champion ‘Balers. When last seen, they were dancing off the field at San Jose City College, finally having beaten Oak Grove and their title-game jinx of the two previous years. But these ‘Balers are a very different unit, with all-important positions on both the offensive and defensive lines still open for competition. Who will rise to the occasion as they scrimmage against their TCAL rival?
The San Benito coaches are plenty adamant in emphasizing the importance of winning the physical battle against the Mustangs, dictating the action on the field.
“Their attitude and just that mean, nastiness side needs to come out,” Thatcher said of what he expects from the ‘Balers.
Echoed Cameron: “To me, it’s about playing a real physical game.”
While at first glance it appears downright mystifying for two arch rivals to agree to meet prior to their annual grudge match, the coaches believe that their working relationship will make for an effective practice session, although admittedly one in which only the most vanilla sets will be run.
“I do see where it comes across as unusual,” Hammond said, “(but) by the time we get to Week 10, we’ll both be completely different teams.”
That would be Nov. 9. The Prune Bowl. The real measuring stick.
But for now, we’ll have to settle for a tantalizing preview that even this preseason hater is itching to see.
As Hammond said, “This’ll be a good taste.”
The taste of a rivalry renewed.
Set to welcome his former player and coaching colleague back to Hollister, Thatcher referenced the ‘Balers’ convincing 50-20 victory over the Mustangs last season.
“Maybe we’ll bring out our trophy,” Thatcher said, “and set it on the sideline.”
