Live Oak will again start the season off by playing Milpitas,
who made it to the semifinals of the Central Coast playoffs last
year. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Live Oak will again start the season off by playing Milpitas, who made it to the semifinals of the Central Coast playoffs last year. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Live Oak lost 31-7 to Milpitas last year. But that was last year, and the Acorns are optimistic about their chances this year.
“They were picked to be a contender in their league, and they have been a contender for the last few years,” said Live Oak coach Glen Webb. “They are going to be a challenge. I am pleased with the work ethic and with the progress we have made. They have a great attitude going in. Preseason rankings don’t really mean too much. Everyone starts from scratch each year.”
The Acorns will start the season on astro turf. Milpitas, which has played at the Sports Complex since 1989, just finished the new field at the high school.
“Practicing on it was a little different,” said Milpitas head coach Kelly King. “We hope to see a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for the game from the community.”
But for Live Oak it is just another game.
“It doesn’t play much different than grass,” said coach Glen Webb. “The kids saw it last year in Salinas. It is the same type of field.”
King isn’t taking anything for granted and knows the Acorns are capable of putting up big numbers.
“Live Oak is always tough,” King said. “It should be a good game. The first game is always exciting. We are just going to work on fundamentally executing our game – blocking, tackling and knowing the assignments.”
Live Oak is coming off a weekend of training at Fort Hunter Ligget. Each team has had one preseason scrimmage. Live Oak scrimmaged Hollister, while Milpitas went against Foothill.
“They throw the ball well and run the ball well,” Webb said. “They got a big fullback and fast tailbacks. They use a variety of different sets to take advantage of those strengths. We have to stop the fullback as a lead blocker who can run the dive strong. They got a lot of good athletes.”
