Football’s almost back
The start of high school football is officially less than a month away, with most varsity teams opening the season on the road or at home on Aug. 25.
Before that, players will endure the strain of Hell Week before having the opportunity to test their mettle against other teams at the annual Imperial Valley Football Coaches Association football carnival.
This year, Southwest and Calipatria highs are scheduled to host the junior varsity and varsity carnivals in a few weeks.
Southwest will host local JV teams on Aug. 17 beginning at 6 p.m., while Calipatria will host the varsity carnival on Aug. 18, also beginning at 6 p.m.
At Southwest, the football field and baseball and softball fields will play host to the JV and freshman teams, respectively.
The JV squads will remain on the football, while the freshman teams will take up the baseball and softball field areas.
Spectators for the freshman games are encourage to bring chairs for seating.
The JV and freshman games consist of each team running a total of 16 offensive plays.
The team will take turns and alternated running a total of eight plays followed by a water break.
Similarly the varsity carnival will follow the same format, with an added two plays per period, for a total of 20 offensive plays per scrimmage.
This will be the first year that Calipatria High plays host to the varsity carnival, which will include a total of seven teams.
Scheduled to appear at the varsity carnival are Calipatria, Calexico, Central Union, Holtville and Southwest highs and CETYS and Salvatierra Prep of Mexicali.
Both carnivals will have the same entrance fee price and rules regarding outside containers.
Entrance for everybody above the age of five is $5 and children ages 5 and below are free. The money collected at the entrance helps toward the IVFCA Hall of Fame dinner held annually in March.
Additionally, the Association has a strict no outside food, beverages (including water), ice chests or food containers policy.
Both Southwest and Calipatria highs will have their snack bars open with sales from the carnival remaining within the host school’s football program.
See future editions of the Imperial Valley Press for the freshman, JV and varsity game schedule for the 2017 carnivals.