I visited two practices yesterday ... (South Hills and Amat) ...
... it would've been three, but I drove by West Covina and nobody was out there. That was at 5, so I assume they started at 6. Or maybe even next week. I will go back next week.
It's funny, Glendora's Mark Pasquarella told me NOT to come to Tartans practice. Not that I'll listen, though. See you guys next week, too.
Anyway, yesterday's first stop was at South Hills. The Huskies weren't in pads, which soured me. But I don't make practice plans for area teams (yet). Coach Bogan ran over and said "Hello" and also accused me of spying for Los Altos. He asked where my camera was. I've said it before, but there's just nobody more prepared than Bogan. And you could see why even at this practice. The guy just doesn't mess around and his staff is outstanding. Believe me, when you've watched enough practices, you can tell what's a good staff and what isn't.
I'm not sure of names. I was watching from afar with my man Corey, who should find himself vying for "Coach James" status at another school real soon as the team's "do-everything, go-to guy." Corey wasn't sure of many names either since he's new to SH.
I think I caught the end of practice and the Huskies had their offense going against a scout defense. Nick Lamaison was at QB and I can see what the is optimism about. The receivers had their share of drops, which soured Bogan and an assistant. Having said that, I saw two running backs who impressed me. Sorry for resorting to racial terms, but I don't know names ... there was a caucasian kid who carried on the first play and made some nice moves that surprised me. Then there was an African-American kid who darted a couple of runs outside that would've been big gainers in a real game. The offensive line wasn't in pads, but they looked very good, especially the center. It's obvious this team reloaded. There were athletes in the right spots and Lamaison looks like he'll be one of the better passers in the area. I have no gauge of the defense because I didn't see what I thought was the first unit.
On to Amat ...
First off, despite what you read in other threads or hear in dark alleys, I have no problem with Amat. Their fans continue to amaze me everytime I turn around. Like Friday's practice for instance, I think that's the most family and friends I've ever seen at a practice. Love it!
There was a semi-funny moment, though. What looked like a lower level player from Los Altos walked in with a Los Altos football hat and "Los Altos Pride" practice jersey on. He had just come from practice with his dad. It made me chuckle. I think he probably had a relative playing at Amat. They hung out on the field.
I got to Amat just in time for stretching. Verti runs a very high energy practice. He was running around, from unit to unit. The Lancers still practice in segments (for lack of a better term). Somebody blows an air horn every 10 or 15 minutes and it's onto something else. This is the chic way of running practice in many places. I stayed for over an hour, and didn't get to see anything scrimmage-like. I will visit another practice, probably next Friday when they should do an intra-squad scrimmage. Here are my takes ... I only saw numbers and don't really know names. I could piece together some names to numbers just going off memory from last year. Not many, however. I saw Amat for about 15 plays at the Bonita Passing Tournament. I was horrified. I felt a lot better yesterday, though. Here are my top observations ...
1. I believe the No. 1 QB has to be a kid wearing No. 7. He had the most zip on his ball and looked like the backup last year + about 1,000 hours in the weight room. Verti told me that Carrillo had gained weight and filled out, but I am not sure No. 7 is him. Anyway, the QB situation isn't as dire as I previously thought if this kid is in fact the starter.
2. Amat isn't as big as last year, but they aren't small either. There were some pretty decent sized kids. Maybe it's not quite to typical D-1 standards, but this team isn't exactly midgets either.
3. There was a kid working with the linebackers - No. 2 - he looks like he's going to be a player.
4. The receivers look good. There was one kid who absolutely flew. He had a deep ball thrown to him that was way overthrown, but he got closer to it than what should've been humanly possible. He didn't have a play on it, but he came close. I think he was No. 29, but really not sure.
5. Gaisie was one player I did recognize. He looked good just doing running back drills. There was a No. 4 who looks like a bowling ball with speed. This is probably the team's fullback - again, not sure. He got outside during a drill and I was surprised with his niftiness.
6. The team looks legitimately talented in spots. Not that I could a lot during yesterday's practice, but it appears that youth is the biggest factor they have to overcome.
Sorry these takes are so vague, but I stayed off in the distance at both practices and didn't talk to coaches.
Comments
shhs has its intersquad scrimmage @ district field today. they should be "hiiting" by 5:30-6:00. come on by. i'm sure bogan will keep it going as long as the lights stay on! los al just around the corner, its too bad about there injuries, but, its gonna be a great rivalary game for sure.
Posted by: richard | August 26, 2006 8:32 AM
Aram, the reason why South Hills wasn't in pads that day(while teams like Los Altos were) has to do with when their district starts school. Apparantly CIF counts practices differently during a school week than during an off week, and there are a regulated number of practices in pads allowed/required before the first game. So it wasn't a matter of "practice planning" so much as it was a matter of Bogan having his hand forced by the rules.
Posted by: Jhykron | August 25, 2006 1:27 PM
Nice preview of the team practices. I will be a correspondent for the Tribune this season covering prep football throughout the SGV. Formerly, I was editor of the Mt.SAC newspaper "The Mountaineer" and covered their football program for them. I have been on staff at the Walnut Weekly News since last summer. I will keep my eyes on this and the rest of the paper's blogs for information and updates.
Posted by: Ariel | August 22, 2006 4:57 PM
"Dan get a life", LOL, that is funny. What can I say, I love high school football and the closer the season gets the more I can't wait for
Sept 1st.
Posted by: Dan | August 22, 2006 4:55 PM
Aram the starting QB for Amat is No.7 Xavier Carrillo. He has grown alot since last year and will continue to grow thru out this year. (X) is only sixteen years old and will not turn 17 until November. Xavier started school when he was 4 yrs old so he will be out of high school at 17. Dominique Gasie and Carrillo played Jr all American for the Rowland Raiders. Carrillo and Gasie are the same age and their birthdays are in November. Mr chase #6 you dont have to bad mouth Carrillo he played QB for Rowland JV team when he was a sophmore dont be hating on your brother like that.Mr Carrillo (x) No.7 go Amat.
Posted by: ccarrillo | August 22, 2006 3:54 PM
dan, had a chance to go by rowland late in the afternoon caught a little of there practice, they look big and quick and its funny i think its there first practice today ,its going to be interesting because there only going to get better.i fear for the dawgs and puppys lol
Posted by: sh | August 21, 2006 10:27 PM
dan get a life
Posted by: dan has no life | August 21, 2006 10:27 PM
sh,
I don't doubt at all that South Hills reloaded
the reason is cause since I got into following high school football [in 1999] I haven't seen them put out a bad team yet. You bet they reloaded and you bet West Co will be ready, its going to be a battle in the San Antonio, cause Rowland will also be waiting in the wings for their opportunity.
Posted by: Dan | August 21, 2006 6:37 PM
Sounds good, i know things are changing over there and their are alot of excited people on the direction of that program from all levels. i belive the scrimmage is at 9:00 a.m. with the breakfast before that.
Posted by: B-PARK | August 21, 2006 10:46 AM
I have a TV show to do on Saturday morning. What time is the scrimmage and breakfast? I have no info on BP because I haven't been able to get in contact with Coach Heggins despite numerous tries. I got a message from him today to call this afternoon, so we'll see what happens. Believe me, I want to know as bad as you.
Posted by: Aram | August 21, 2006 10:39 AM
Hey ARAM, any info on B.P.? I know they have their
pancake breakfast this saturday, and first live intra-squad scrimmage. you might want to check that out. Plus i know u like pancakes, eggs and bacon........
Posted by: B-PARK | August 21, 2006 10:27 AM
AT, thanks for all the hard work covering local football. the caucasion @ shhs was damon kaklinsky(?) a junior,and, evan heard, a sophmore was the other. as a parent of a sophmore, who attended all the passing league events, this is a young team. they have good chemistry and really good comraderee. the future looks good as there is a large freshman team on the field as well. as you said, coach bogan is a great master of the game. he really works hard to get the best out of everyone on that field!
Posted by: richard | August 21, 2006 9:32 AM
What appears to be a team shaping up for a difficult season the Bishop Amat Lancers Friday and Saturday nite practices were not that bad Aram. QB#7 Carrillo did look good out there and Gaise and Fletcher looked strong. Coach Verti is all over the place and is running his practices very clean, professional and business like(one big problem see below). He looks to be getting the best out of his players. I still think there needs to be more fire put to these players tho. The O line and D line look to be going thru the motions and as the old saying goes you play like you practice. I am sure the coach knows this and will gradually turn up his teams intensity level next week. The one thing that stuck out to me tho was the CODDLING of certain players. At the end of practice certain players seem to get out of having to run wind sprints with the rest of team possibly claiming fake injuries. Again these players look to be the "Stars" of the team and can get away with it based on the team needing them and not them needing the team.. They seem to make a statement to the rest of the players and parents watching practice that they are the "elite" players and are above the team. This I am sure coach Verti sees but is he ignoring it?....I feel it is going on because they know coach Verti from last year.......If Amat would have brought in a total outsider to coach this team I am sure these boys would be doing everything that is asked of them to gain the confidence of their new coach. With Coach Verti there is no drop off from losing Coach Difiori the supposed "Superstar kids" still disrespect the program....Most games are decided in the 4th qtr. and every bit of conditioning is necessary. Hope these "Star" kids realize this now and not when their dragging A-- in the 4th quarter, as Hart(example) is full of energy and is running up the score on them.
Posted by: BA 24/7 | August 21, 2006 9:28 AM
Amat had a in-house practice game Saturday evening and QB #7 looked pretty sharp. Based on his performance on Saturday, his arm strength is not going to be a problem. It appears they are still putting things together but overall, Amat looked ok. They had some kids who stood out in the game. QB, RB#20, both receivers 2# , and a tall lineman who went both ways .
Posted by: dh | August 21, 2006 6:46 AM
dan, who the hell said south hills reloaded dont buy in to everything and the bull dogs better be ready and i hope carillo gained weight and hopefully he gained a arm to because he never was a qb to tell yu the truth.
Posted by: sh | August 20, 2006 11:02 PM
AT jus to help a little bit that number 4 from amat is probably marcus wagner the little bro of the former player of the year michael wagner i know this cuz i know most of amats team from junior all-american days.and carillo used to go to rowland!!!lol thats just funny to me
Posted by: chase #6 | August 20, 2006 6:15 PM
aram you should have gone to the morning practice.....they were bangin...plus u might wanna check calhisports all sgv preseason football team peace out :)
Posted by: i dunno | August 19, 2006 7:59 PM
Getting exciting Aram, keep up the good work,
I had a feeling South Hills would reload, hope the Bulldogs are ready.
Posted by: Dan | August 19, 2006 6:51 PM