By Ed Piper
These are the dog days of summer, when school teams are almost completely shut down, summer league boys and girls basketball has concluded, and official football workouts start as per CIF regulations--though the footballers have been practicing in some form all along except for the no-contact "dead period".
So, along comes a highlight for La Jolla High football, and that's that L.T. is footing it for the Vikings. "Who's that?" asked a reporter on the field during warmups before new head coach Tyler Roach's team faced El Capitan, West Hills, and Christian in a four-way 7-on-7 round-robin Tues., July 25 at Edwards Field.
"L.T.", came a teammate's answer. "What's L.T. stand for?" came the next question. "I don't know. Hey, L.T., what are your names?"
"Lawrence Taylor." Same as the former New York Giant great, a Hall of Fame linebacker. I thought he was kidding. "No, that's really my name," said the 5'9" rising sophomore, getting back in line to take some warm-up passes from the Viking quarterbacks. Kenny Hayden, the lefty who has been out on physical rehabilitation the whole summer, was throwing passes to receivers. That was good to see. He'll be vying with fellow senior Trevor Scully for quarterback duties under Roach's new offensive platform.
The original L.T., of course, was famous for his quote in 1987 about his influence as a celebrity on young people: "I'm no role model."
The good thing he did, I guess, was play hard and strive for excellence. Speaking as a classroom teacher who sees how much public figures affect young, impressionable fans, I say he flunked the role model issue.
You can't deny you're an influence, and use that as an excuse to act like a jerk. Thank God for the positive role models who embrace the role--as famous people, they're going to affect people, whether they accept that fact or not.
Anyway, back to the Viking gridiron, La Jolla starts its official preseason workouts today, Aug. 1. A parent asked Head of Operations John McColl about "Hell Week", which used to be an annual rite consisting of two- or even three-a-day killer workouts at the start of the preseason to toughen the core players and weed out the lesser-committed. It was often characterized by someone passing out due to the heat. Unfortunately, we still get the reports each year of a prep or college football player who dies during strenuous workouts in the summer heat.
"We don't have Hell Week anymore," came McColl's reply. What's an irony is that while CIF state-wide is working to limit more and more how much hitting contact prep football players build up over the calendar year, CIF is also increasing the number of games teams competing for a state title are having to play. Next year the season will be pushed back a week to allow for state championships in all three sports seasons--fall, winter, and spring--so that we will see our Vikings play their opening game, not at the end of August as it is now, but a week earlier--closer to the middle of August. Isn't that kind of ridiculous?, stating my own opinion. I think it's overkill.
"I like the competitiveness of the guys this summer," said Roach before the 7-on-7. "The competitiveness of the guys showing up."
Roach, who has been very upbeat, energetic, and positive as the new face of LJHS football since being hired in the spring to replace the departed Matt Morrison, explained that several potential team members have been taking summer school classes this summer in an attempt to be eligible this fall. English teacher and football tutor Jane Medrano has been highly visible this summer, connecting with team members and encouraging them in their endeavors.
"They're (the summer school attendees) missing some of the morning workouts, because they're in class. They've been able to come to some of the 7-on-7 games," explained Roach, a former UCHS standout.
Who is eligible and who will be on the turf will be revealed on this first day of official preseason practice.
Then, on Friday, Aug. 4, the team will pack up and drive to Big Bear for the annual camp away from home, designed to build team cohesiveness. McColl was spotted buying four brightly-colored balls for team camp at WalMart earlier in the week. "We have to have balls for dodge ball, right?" the long-time LJHS assistant said with a grin as he moved toward the registers.
Roach, back at the round-robin against El Capitan (a returner from an earlier passing event), West Hills, and Christian--the latter a smaller-school football powerhouse which will play in the Honor Bowl at the start of September--said the no-contact period over July 4 served its purpose. The players accumulate some rust during two weeks of inactivity, but the time off also allows them to lie low and regenerate before the big push toward the fall season beginning in August.
"We hope to see a lot of energy. This is our last time (of competition against other teams) before we put on the pads in our scrimmage against Mission Bay July 18," concluded Roach.
The season opener comes versus Hilltop a week later, though to be played at Sweetwater due to construction on the Hilltoppers' field.
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