KTJ
08-23-2005, 06:10 PM
California team hoping to beat the heat
Falcons leaving cool Cali for sizzling Texas to play Leopards
By JIM SEIMAS
Santa Cruz Sentinel
SCOTTS VALLEY - The Scotts Valley High football team is running drills on yet another beautiful summer afternoon.
The sun is shining, there's a light breeze and it's not too hot. The players were hoping for something a little less perfect. They actually wanted it to be unbearably hot, flat-out miserable.
Scotts Valley opens its 2005 preseason next Friday against host Gainesville High in Texas. The game - reportedly just the eighth in football history between California and Texas high schools - has been dubbed "The Sizzle Bowl."
"The weather isn't really helping us out at all to prepare for the heat or humidity," Falcons running back Tony Lopez said. "In fact, it's been pretty (cruddy) here. The other day I looked outside and it was raining."
Weather forecasts are calling for a temperature of 89 degrees and a humidity of 69 percent in Gainesville at 7:30 p.m. on game day.
The Falcons haven't been given much of a chance to beat Gainesville, the 2003 3A state champ. The Leopards are ranked third in the state 3A preseason poll by Texas Prep Xtra. Moreover, the Falcons may not even beat the heat.
Falcons coach Louie Walters has done everything possible to prepare his players for what they will face. He purposely moved his traditional morning practices to the afternoon to test his players.
"We haven't got a heat spell that we normally get in Scotts Valley," Walters said. "I'm a little worried on that note. We can handle the heat. It's the humidity. Our kids have no idea what it's like."
Returning lineman Dustin Black has tried to simulate the Texas outing by wearing sweats underneath his pads at practice and during other team workouts.
"It's the first time I've been disappointed with how cold it is," said Sam Gordon, a linebacker and fullback. "But we definitely put our work in to prepare for this. We ran hard this summer."
Not only are the Falcons unfamiliar with playing in humidity, the fact the Leopards are used to it doesn't bode well, said Kick Kirkham, a tight end and defensive end.
"The heat is probably the biggest problem we'll face," he said. "Guys who normally play both ways could find it difficult to keep up with the Texas team. Their team may not be overwhelming large size-wise, but they have more guys and they're used to the heat and the weather."
Walters may have to substitute players more frequently than usual, which is both good and bad. More players will gain experience, but that inexperience could play a crucial part in the outcome.
Gordon said the Falcons are extremely competitive, and have been looking forward to taking on Texas. The trip has raised the level of focus during workouts and practice.
"Nick and I we running volunteer workouts over the summer and everyone showed up," Gordon said. "We were there three or four times a week. We had guys breaking a sweat, vomiting. We worked extremely hard. Everyone wants to start for this team. There are still a few spots open and everyone wants them."
Story courtesy of the Santa Cruz Sentinel
Falcons leaving cool Cali for sizzling Texas to play Leopards
By JIM SEIMAS
Santa Cruz Sentinel
SCOTTS VALLEY - The Scotts Valley High football team is running drills on yet another beautiful summer afternoon.
The sun is shining, there's a light breeze and it's not too hot. The players were hoping for something a little less perfect. They actually wanted it to be unbearably hot, flat-out miserable.
Scotts Valley opens its 2005 preseason next Friday against host Gainesville High in Texas. The game - reportedly just the eighth in football history between California and Texas high schools - has been dubbed "The Sizzle Bowl."
"The weather isn't really helping us out at all to prepare for the heat or humidity," Falcons running back Tony Lopez said. "In fact, it's been pretty (cruddy) here. The other day I looked outside and it was raining."
Weather forecasts are calling for a temperature of 89 degrees and a humidity of 69 percent in Gainesville at 7:30 p.m. on game day.
The Falcons haven't been given much of a chance to beat Gainesville, the 2003 3A state champ. The Leopards are ranked third in the state 3A preseason poll by Texas Prep Xtra. Moreover, the Falcons may not even beat the heat.
Falcons coach Louie Walters has done everything possible to prepare his players for what they will face. He purposely moved his traditional morning practices to the afternoon to test his players.
"We haven't got a heat spell that we normally get in Scotts Valley," Walters said. "I'm a little worried on that note. We can handle the heat. It's the humidity. Our kids have no idea what it's like."
Returning lineman Dustin Black has tried to simulate the Texas outing by wearing sweats underneath his pads at practice and during other team workouts.
"It's the first time I've been disappointed with how cold it is," said Sam Gordon, a linebacker and fullback. "But we definitely put our work in to prepare for this. We ran hard this summer."
Not only are the Falcons unfamiliar with playing in humidity, the fact the Leopards are used to it doesn't bode well, said Kick Kirkham, a tight end and defensive end.
"The heat is probably the biggest problem we'll face," he said. "Guys who normally play both ways could find it difficult to keep up with the Texas team. Their team may not be overwhelming large size-wise, but they have more guys and they're used to the heat and the weather."
Walters may have to substitute players more frequently than usual, which is both good and bad. More players will gain experience, but that inexperience could play a crucial part in the outcome.
Gordon said the Falcons are extremely competitive, and have been looking forward to taking on Texas. The trip has raised the level of focus during workouts and practice.
"Nick and I we running volunteer workouts over the summer and everyone showed up," Gordon said. "We were there three or four times a week. We had guys breaking a sweat, vomiting. We worked extremely hard. Everyone wants to start for this team. There are still a few spots open and everyone wants them."
Story courtesy of the Santa Cruz Sentinel