Potential San Benito High football players were walking and
moving a little slower this week.
Potential San Benito High football players were walking and moving a little slower this week.
On Monday, the San Benito football team took to the field for the first time to prepare for what coaches hope will be an encore season.
There were about 40 varsity players and about 20 JV players who came out for the spring football workouts.
Coach Chris Cameron said he was encouraged by the varsity turnout, but said the JV showing was not as good as usual. Many players weren’t able to participate because of obligations with other sports still going on.
Cameron said he wants to use the two-week training period to establish a solid foundation for the fall.
“We are just trying to build some camaraderie and get moving in the right direction,” Cameron said. “The biggest objective is to set the mindset for our expectations. We want them to play up-tempo football.”
The coaches are also focusing on the offensive and defensive schemes and some of the fundamentals of the sport, Cameron said.
“It’s been really tough,” said sophomore Bryan Estrada, about his first year out. “It helps you get that mental mindset.”
The Balers will open up their preseason at Valley Christian. San Benito will then play San Lorenzo Valley, Wilcox, Bellarmine and Alvarez before league play begins.
“We still have a long ways to go,” Cameron said. “We got some real key kids to replace – a lot of All-League players. But we got some kids out there that are working hard and are enthusiastic. Since we started our off-season program in January, we have had 52 workouts.”
Players are not the only ones who have to get adjusted. Randy Logue, who is stepping down as athletic director and will be taking over as coach for the freshman team, is one of them.
“I was a little nervous yesterday (Monday) when I first took the field, trying to remember some of the plays and numbers,” Logue said. “My goal is to have four basic offenses down a base defense in place.”
Returning left guard Kevin Wilkinson said is eager to compete for the title again this year.
“It is a rush – real intense,” Wilkinson said. “It is good to be back on the field again and start working hard to get back to the CCS championship game. We’re starting to come together as a family. There is a lot of love.”
