The off-season is over. Summer passing leagues and conditioning have given way to official workouts. On Monday, August 17 high school football teams throughout Southern California were permitted to begin formal practice for the upcoming season.
The first local games are scheduled for Friday night, September 11. A highly anticipated one on the Westside will be Leuzinger High playing Santa Monica at Corsair Field.
It will be the debut of Travis Clark as the Vikings’ head coach. Clark, a former Viking player and assistant coach, replaces Zach Cuda, who coached the Vikings the last three years.
St. Monica, on a one-game winning streak following a 37-game losing streak, will also open its season with a new coach. Larry Muno will replace Sean Ritter as the Mariners meet Mary Star at Daniels Field in San Pedro.
Muno is optimistic about the season, saying the Mariners have improved their team speed and depth. However, he says Mary Star shapes up as a tough opponent.
St. Monica’s four-season losing streak was the longest by any high school team in California. It ended with a 21-19 victory at Salesian.
Brentwood coach Patrick Brown will begin his 31th season as the Eagles oppose St. Anthony at Clark Field in Lakewood.
Santa Monica, St. Monica and Brentwood are members of the CIF Southern Section. Among L.A. City Section schools are Venice and Palisades.
Venice’s first game will be at West Covina, also on September 11. Palisades will open the same night at Hollywood.
Santa Monica will play Palisades in its second game and Venice in the third.
