Camp opens with positive aura
MORGAN HILL — During a piping-hot week of practice, when the giant “LO” emblazoned on a hillside overlooking Morgan Hill was still visible through the afternoon haze, the Sobrato Bulldogs weren’t short on inspiration to work their hardest.
One more hit. One more play. Three more weeks.
Without the traditional slate of double-days to build off before their Sept. 11 season-opener with Gunderson, the Bulldogs practiced with conscious effort this week as full-contact workouts began in the Central Coast Section.
For Sobrato, the new season cannot come soon enough; each practice is one step closer — and one step farther away from 2008.
“We want the season to get here as soon as possible,” second-year coach Nick Borello said Wednesday. “We’ve had such a good summer. We found success in camp.”
Borello and his staff are sold on creating a more encouraging atmosphere at training camp this year, and the Bulldogs are buying in.
That was evident during a defensive drill Tuesday, when free safety Patrick Bacciarelli tipped a Jerry Jacob pass, and strong safety Drew Johnson nabbed it.
“Why didn’t anyone yell ‘bingo?’ ” defensive backs coach Albert King asked. “Whenever we make an interception, someone has to yell ‘bingo.’ That’s when defense becomes offense.”
Bacciarelli didn’t try for a tip the next play. The senior slipped into the soft zone and made a diving catch to pick off Jacob. Bacciarelli was still on the ground when his teammates swarmed around him hollering “bingo” — never minding that the play was over.
King smiled and shook his head.
“That’s standard out there,” King said Wednesday. “We want them to understand in the game of football, if you don’t communicate to teammates, there’s a chance for breakdown. When you’re doing coverage, you have to communicate.
“When we get an interception, let’s try for a quick six. That’s fun for the kids, flying around and screaming out ‘bingo.’ ”
Monday the players were begging for more reps during a 1-on-1 tackling drill similar to the 49ers’ “nutcracker.”
“We’re into pads, we’re hitting and the guys are excited to stop doing theoretical football,” Borello said. “We’re doing the real-live football now.”
Borello did not sound as sunny when asked about injuries. The already depth-depleted Bulldogs dressed only 22 healthy players Monday. Headlining the injured was senior wingback Marcus Patrick, who will miss at least a week with a broken hand.
“It doesn’t seem to be serious,” Borello said. “He’s not going to miss any games, but we need as many guys out here for practice since we have such a small team.”
No starters have been named, but you can bet most will be playing both ways. During team sessions this week, Sobrato worked with one side of the offensive and defensives lines at a time. That still almost puts the entire 26-man roster on the field.
The players aren’t complaining, though.
“They’re going 110 percent,” Borello said. “Guys like (lineman) Joel Rueda and (wingback/cornerback) Ralph Jackson are looking sharp on everything — even if it’s scout. Some guys have really stepped up and put themselves ahead, and we’ve had others that have impressed.”
King added, “it’s an exciting time for Sobrato right now. It doesn’t matter how many guys we have. We just need to make sure all 11 are flying to the ball.”
NOTE: Sobrato is scheduled to scrimmage Branham on Sept.3.
