After long wait, football players return to practice
Helmets and shoulder pads never fit so well. Musty jerseys never smelled so fresh. And football practice — sorry, Allen Iverson — never felt so good.
Almost 15 months since high school kids last played organized games, Bay Area teams began formal practices Friday. The start of a season that looked like it would be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and strict state restrictions is by all indications two weeks away.
On Friday, players and coaches rejoiced.
“It was right from the start — warmups — once we started doing jumping jacks, it was like, ‘Wow, it’s here. We’re actually doing this,’ ” De La SalleConcord senior quarterback Dorian Hale said.
Said Hillsdale-San Mateo senior twoway lineman Jackson Wood: “Once we had the pads on and got into hitting drills, it just felt different than ever before. It was an awakening. It was like Coach (Mike Parodi) always reminds us that we’re so lucky to be out here, it’s a onceinamillion time. We got to make the most of it.”
California was one of 15 states to scrap a traditional fall season due to high virus numbers. The state had planned to allow high school football to start in December, but coronavirus rates skyrocketed, start dates were delayed and the season seemed in peril.
A coaches group headed by De La Salle’s Justin Alumbaugh and Serra’s Patrick Walsh led a threeweek effort to show the governor’s office and California Department of Health to prove football could be played safely.
Last week, the state loosened the coronavirus guidelines, opening the door for higherrisk outdoor sports to start practice in full pads Friday. About half the Bay Area schools will start Monday.
Coaches said it was very emotional watching kids enjoy themselves Friday.
“The energy was palpable,” Alumbaugh said. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, I realized I hadn’t really coached in over a year. I’ve always known how much I love coaching, but the moment we started up today gave me an appreciation for my profession that I will never forget.”
HeritageBrentwood coach Dave Fogelstrom said he reflected on 12 months of conditioning at all hours, “never giving up hope. All of the frustration of the last year disappeared the moment that first whistle blew and these guys started flying around in their pads. … Some things just feel right.”
Said Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park coach Gehrig Hotaling: “It’s been incredibly and profoundly inspiring to witness these kids work their tails off for months not knowing if we’d ever see the light of the day and get the opportunity to play.”
Rancho Cotate will start Monday, as will 87 players at McClymonds in West Oakland.
Even though there’s no chance the Warriors can make their fifth straight state finals appearance — there’s no section, regional or state playoffs planned — coach Michael Peters said no season has been more anticipated, or desired.
“Ultimately it’s about the kids,” Peters said, “and I’m happy for every kid that gets to put on a uniform.”
San Francisco Department of Health guidelines, which are stricter than the state’s, had led many to believe that the city’s public school football teams would not be cleared to play. But those schools could get the OK after the SFDPH said Friday that as long as San Francisco meets the state’s red tier on Tuesday, it will “largely” align with the state, “with some additional safety precautions.”
All indications are that San Francisco County should move from purple to red tier after it ranked fourth lowest among the state’s 58 counties at 5.2 coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents on Tuesday.