2011 Warriors
Mountain Football's Marcus Curiel displayed his strength and speed at the National Offensive and Defensive Camp
held earlier this month at La Jolla. Photo by Becky Flick, The Tehachapi News.
Posted by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News, on June 26, 2011 Training Begins For Mountain Football
Warriors Participate In Summer Workouts
From early indications, the 2011 class of Mountain Football will be an intense and focused group of athletes.
After an impressive showing at the recent National Offensive/Defensive Football Camp at La Jolla High School earlier this month, and a disciplined practice regiment, Tehachapi looks to have all of the tools and talent for a fast start to the new football year.
"So far the kids have done well in training. The camp was a competitive atmosphere that was very productive for us. The first day we were a little sluggish from the long road trip, but the second and third day the kids picked it up," said head coach Steve Denman. "It was good for the kids to get some pads on and play the game in a controlled environment."
Tehachapi was one of three teams at La Jolla, with Santa Fe Christian and La Jolla High School also in attendance. Each school had two full varsity teams and a jayvee team, participating in two-minute drill schemes, 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 drills, specific drill sets focusing on individual position assignments, line of scrimmage assignments, proper reaction to line stunts and linebacker blitzes, secondary technique and production in the offensive backfield.
Helping out in the camp experience was the Warrior Booster Club, who helped provide food for the players during the three day event.
For the next month, every Monday through Thursday up until Jul.28, Tehachapi will be in the weight room bulking up for upcoming summer practice. The varsity will be at the high school every morning starting at 6 a.m. and the junior varsity and freshmen teams will be weight training at 5 p.m.
"We're excited about the upcoming year," said quarterback Bobby Howell. "We'll have a target on our back (as the defending champs) but we're working hard to get ready."
Bobby Howell Selected As Quarterback 'Top Gun'
Junior quarterback Bobby Howell has taken a big step on the path of college recruitment with his selection to attend Football University's underclassmen Top Gun Quarterback Recruiting Camp.
After a successful showing at the Football University Regional Camp last April at Orange Glen High School in San Diego, Howell was hand picked as one of only 50 quarterbacks from all regions to attend the high-profile national camp, set to be held next month, July 20-24 in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The national camp will be an almost pure recruiting venture; with many top Division-I schools set to be in attendance.
While the achievement is an important opportunity for Howell, he must pay his own way to the camp (flight, hotel and incidental expenses) to participate. A spaghetti fundraiser dinner for Howell is set up for Friday, July 15 to help offset expenses for the once in a lifetime trip. The dinner will include spaghetti, salad, roll and a variety of beverages.
Dinner tickets are $10 and can be purchased during business hours at the Apple Shed, Tehachapi Culinary Studio and M & M Sports. The dinner will be on Friday, July 15 at Centennial Plaza on Green Street from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For those in the community that wish to make an individual donation for Howell, please contact Linda Pettitt at 822-1122.
Warrior quarterback Bobby Howell takes a handoff during training drills at Tehachapi High School. The Warriors are the
defending CIF Division II Central Section Champions. Photo by Tom Shea, The Tehachapi News.
