By Ed Piper
After a successful annual team camp in Big Bear Fri.-Mon., Aug. 4-7, the tenor of La Jolla football practices has changed.
Formerly, head coach Tyler Roach was a man about town, greeting visitors and joking with his players and assistant coaches.
Now, only 10 days ahead of the season opener against Bishop's Fri., Aug. 18, at Edwards Stadium, Roach's behavior communicates seriousness--even pique if a player fouls up his assignment.
No more joshing around. Of course, before that, Roach and his staff always had a view of the looming football season.
But it was layered over with the more humorous. We weren't in crunch time yet.
From all reports, the team camp was a total success. A reporter mentioned "heavy discussion" to safety Leed Smoole. He responded: "Yeah, we had a serious talk over a campfire" Sunday evening. His face was serious, too.
Something happened at that camp.
Sure, there were the fun times: punt/kick coach Kyle Hurt won the bowling tournament with a 188. Among team members, Renner Smith, on the JV's, took honors with a 144.
But there was a turning point of "team building" that occurred over the weekend, and headed the Vikings into this final full week of preseason practice with a gravitas that went beyond merely practicing together and "boys will be boys".
Players ate at an In-N-Out in Moreno Valley on the way to Big Bear Friday. Cafeteria food was served at the church camp the team stayed at in the mountains.
No comments:
Post a Comment