No matter how slight it seems, the difference between eight-man
and 11-man football is huge – the sports have different needs and
responsibilities.
Gone are two offensive tackles and a receiver in 8-man football.
Instead of 100-yard field, the gridiron is shrunk down to 80
yards.
But the game is still the same.
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
No matter how slight it seems, the difference between eight-man and 11-man football is huge – the sports have different needs and responsibilities.
Gone are two offensive tackles and a receiver in 8-man football. Instead of 100-yard field, the gridiron is shrunk down to 80 yards.
But the game is still the same.
The players still wear helmets, and a plethora of other pads, and they still hit each other hard.
The biggest difference usually shows up on the scoreboard as eight-man football is generally more explosive and full of points. Defense usually takes a backseat to sweeping running games and long passes.
Anzar High will have the opportunity Friday to show just how explosive it can be, as the Hawks host Trinity Christian in the program’s first game. The game, at home in front of its home crowd, will be the official start to Anzar’s football tradition.
The day is at least three years in the making. For the 27 players that make up the first Anzar roster, it’s a day they won’t forget.
“I’m getting nervous but I’m excited,” head coach Luis Espinoza said last week. “It’s right around the corner.”
For the players, it’s their opportunity to make a mark at the San Juan Bautista school – and it’s an opportunity that they don’t want to squander.
“I want people to remember us as that one school that can play football better than anyone else,” said junior running back Raul Mora. “I want people to remember us so when we come back here and we bring our kids back here they will see our pictures hanging on the wall in the office. And they will be able to say that’s my dad, and that he played football.”
Many of the team’s players have never played a down of football or worn pads, and expectations remain high for a good season.
“Hopefully we have a good game on Sept. 9th and we win,” senior Miguel Madrigal said.
Quarterback Jeremy Cedeno hopes a win against Trinity on Friday will be the beginning of many.
“I hope we have a good year,” he said. “I hope we have a couple of wins.”
And with so many first-year players, nobody knows what to expect from the team. Espinoza has set small team goals to obtain as the season progresses – starting with the team’s first touchdown and win.
And of course because it’s eight-man football, the game will have a slightly different feel than San Benito High’s football team.
With three less players, individual responsibilities are heightened and mistakes are more noticeable.
“There is more responsibilities for each individual to take care of on the field,” Cedeno said. “I think they have to pay attention more to their own responsibility. When they do, it guarantees a successful play. And each successful play that you get can get a win.”
Taking part in the Coastal Athletic league with four-time defending league champion Anchorpoint, the Hawks will need to be explosive and rely on a big offensive line and the few players with football-playing experience.
Important information
Records:
AHS: 0-0
TCHS: 0-1 (lost 50-24 to Kings Christian)
6 p.m. kickoff
Location: Anzar High
After the game go online to freelancenews.com for a recap.
