Grizzly football gets it right

GRIZZLY players work on technique over the summer at the Playmakers Full Contact Football Camp hosted by Rosemont High. Democrat photo by Mike Bush

SACRAMENTO — Last week was not the first time that members of the Golden Sierra High football team strapped on their helmets and shoulder pads.

Last month, the Grizzlies’ varsity and JV teams participated at the Playmakers Full Contact High School Football Camp at Rosemont High as one of six high schools that participated. There, coaches evaluated players through various offensive and defensive drills.

Griz head coach John Hilton was pleased with the performances and positive attitudes of his players who battled temperatures in the upper 90s throughout the four-day camp. Most of the 24 players on the roster were in attendance.

“First part of (the camp) was getting use to the pads,” Hilton said. “It’s always tough for them to get use to. We gradually want to build to be able to scrimmage.”

Hilton said that the players were “excited” about the camp and showed it in their hustle. He said that “technique” was one of the keys for his players to work on both sides of the ball at the camp.

The five other schools present were host Rosemont, Florin, McClatchy, Woodland Christian and the California School for the Deaf. Each school scrimmaged one another.

Golden Sierra has also prepared for the upcoming season with weight training four days a week and 7-on-7 passing games against Union Mine and Argonaut.

Grizzly senior Ryan Echeveria said the camp was tough at first but after a few reps on both sides of the ball, his fellow teammates and himself felt they were getting back in stride.

“It’s a good camp,” Echeveria said.

The camp had another message: Learning about life’s responsibilities that includes helping others whether they need it or not.

“We are learning about being respectful,” Echeveria said. “The overall message is good.”

Grizzly senior quarterback/safety Bryson Campbell knows practice makes perfect in terms of running plays on offense and defense.

“Going over every play,” Campbell said.

Campbell said all of the schools were “hard-hitting” during their scrimmages.

After the camp, the players had three weeks off as part of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s dead period policy and Hilton felt that was a good thing.

“We believe that the kids need to have a summer (to take part in other sports and activities and spend time with family and friends),” Hilton said. “They have been working hard.”

Last season, Golden Sierra posted a an overall record of 5-5.

Tomorrow at 7 p.m., Golden Sierra’s varsity and junior varsity grid teams scrimmage at Foresthill High.

For full recaps on Oak Ridge, Ponderosa, Union Mine and El Dorado’s summer camp experiences, visit mtdemocrat.com.

Contact Mike Bush at 530-344-5079 or mbush@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @MBushMtDemo on Twitter. 

Mike Bush

Mike Bush has been working at the Mountain Democrat since August 2011. Mike is the Sports Writer and Features Writer.

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