Monday, Aug. 23, 2010

Getting in a few knocks

Tigers scrimmage gives coaches plenty to ponder

The first hits of the season are always exciting, even when they are against teammates.

The Los Banos High football team got a few hits in during an offense-against-defense scrimmage Aug. 14 at Loftin Stadium.

"Today is for evaluating," said coach Dennis Stubbs. "We're going to be watching a lot of film. We're ahead of the game for just starting on Monday. We have two full teams, plus special teams out on a Saturday."

After a three-and-out to start the scrimmage, the offense mounted a sustained drive and got in the end zone on a short run, two plays after a pass was broken up in the end zone.

The offense made it into the end zone one more time, on a quarterback rollout to the left by Ryan Carmo.

"We thought our defense would be shaping how the day went," Stubbs said. "The offense is always behind the defense at this time of year. Our offense could have folded, but they came out and put together a couple of drives."

The Tigers will take to the road Aug. 21 for one last scrimmage against Oakdale before the season opener against Rocklin Aug. 27. Freshman and junior varsity scrimmages begin at 5:30 p.m., and the varsity scrimmage is at 7:30.

"Oakdale is one of the top teams in the area," Stubbs said. "We're tired of hitting ourselves. Now we get to hit someone else."

The Tigers were 9-4 in 2009, defeating Modesto High 27-26 and Tracy High 28-27 in the playoffs before dropping a 49-14 decision to Monterey Trail High.

Los Banos comes into the season with a new starting quarterback in Ryan Carmo, who backed up Erik Martin last season.

Enterprise reporter David Witte can be reached by phone at 388-6565 or by e-mail at sports@losbanosenterprise.com