2015 Playbook 08/28/2015

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P la ybook

VIZIQrK lwrt TOnight'S gameS Sonora vs. Oakdale 7 p.m., The Corral, Oakdale

Summerville vs. Denair 7:30 p.m., Thorsted Field, Tuolumne Calaveras vs. McNair 7:30 p.m., Frank Meyer Field, San Andreas More in the Mother Lode Lea ue Amador vs. San Juan 7:30 p.m., at Amador Argonaut vs. Colfax 7:30 p.m., at Colfax

Guy Dossi /Union Democrat

The Sonora Wildcats stretch after their "Midnight Madness" practice at 12:01 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, just after the CIF sanctioned sports "Dead Period" expired. The Wildcats have held their early morning practice for decades.

Local gridders carry on longtime traditions

By GUY DOSSI The Union Democrat

Linden vs. Orestimba 7:30 p.m., at Linden Brat Harte bye

~XEQP (Iil@IIQ r@ • Individual player/team

photographs • Mother Lode League team schedules • Player features

QiE RilQ 2KW Starting linebackers from

each team including (from left): Bradley Canepa, of Sonora, Nathaniel Ulvevadet, of Summerville, Anthony Howard, of Bret Harte and Nick Quinday, of Calaveras Cover photos by Maggie Beck Derek Rosen / Photo illustration

What is a bigger American tradition than high school football on Friday nights?

Fourth of July fireworks?

The Pledge of Allegiance?

Making clear, well thought out decisions while in Las Vegas?

Every year around the end of August or the beginning of September, Friday nights become more special. More important.

More meaningful.

Tonight, when high school football fans flock to Oakdale to watch the 98th meeting between the Sonora Wildcats and Mustangs, or visit Thorsted Field to see the Summerville Bears back in black, or to San Andreas to see the Redskins entertain the Calaveras faithful, those in attendance will witness some local football traditions.

Sonora playing Oakdale is a traditionthat goes back to 1922.

When the 'Cats and 'Stangs battled for the first time, the first radio was introduced to the White House; the California Grizzly Bear had just become extinct; and Betty White wasborn.Sonora and Oakdale have met every year since, with the exception of 1924-25.

Sonora has a major tradition that doesn't see the light of day. Ev-

"If the kids are working hard and they are doing the right things on and off the field, then they are rewarded by getting to come through the stands," Craig said. "They love it. From the time they are little Pop Warner players watching football here, they want to walk through the stands. They want to feel the electricity from coming through the stands. We hold that for special occasions. Normally, it's right around homecoming and maybe the playoffs,too."

P LM I I K E A CH A M P I ON The Calaveras Redskins also have a gametime tradition of ene tering Frank Meyer Field through the stands, but they do it out of a sign of respect for a long time CaGuy Dossi /Union Democrat laveras supporter. They walk down Every Calaveras Redskin player slaps the "Redskin Football: Play the far side of the grandstands, like a champion today" sign before competing in home games. to the spot where the "Superfan" couldbe found every home game.

"There was a gentleman by the ery year, once the summer "Dead minute that you can start football, Period" for CIF sanctioned sports you wanna start football. So we do. name of Vern Cuneo, who came been a tradition here foryears." to every game since the 1940's," is over at 12:01 a.m., the 'Cats hit It's the field. It is a tradition that SoSome traditions are handed said Calaveras head coach Jason nora has been involved with for de- down fromteam to team and gen- Weatherby. "He passed away in cades, and it is all about working eration to generation, while other December, 2010. We come down and getting better the first second traditions have to be earned. One where he sat as a way to honor him they are allowed. of thefavorite traditions amongst and it's also where the older fans "I' ve been here for 24 years now, Sonora players is entering Dun- sit. So it's a way to honor the fans and it's been going on for as long lavy Field, double file d own of a previous days as I have been here," said Sonora through the stands and hitting the Before the 'Skins walk past Mr. head coach Bryan Craig. "It's excit- field to a standing ovation from the Cuneo's seat and hit the field, they ing because the kids and coaches home crowd. Entering through the first tap a sign hanging above the have a passion for this game and stands is not an every game treat, we want to get started. The first and is only allowed for big games.

See TRADITIONS / Page 15

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Bears' Fulkerson looks for big season after injury

By GUY DOSSI TIu. Union Democrat

Three-hundredsixty-four days ago today, Jake Fulkerson took the field in Denair for pregame warm-ups to start the 2014 season.

The junior was looking to improve upon a strong sophomore season where he scored

seven touchdowns while playing for the varsity. He was going through pregame drills, and as he planted his right foot, a shooting pain hit his knee and immediately sent him to the ground. Fulker son missed thatopener and was later told he dislocated his patella and he would miss a substantial amount of playing time.

"I was just hoping that it wasn't too serious and that I would be back in a couple of weeks and help the team succeed like we planned," Fulkerson said.

Fulkerson missed the next 10-weeks, and made his 2014 debut in the final regular season game against Linden. The following week, he rushed for 106 yards and added 93

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"Jake is aplayer thatyou can't really replace on both sidesof the ball. He' s a guy that we werehoping to have another greatyear a fter theyear he had his sophomoreyear."

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receiving in a 42-35 loss to Colfax in the first round of the Division V Sac-Joaquin Section Championships.

After football season, Fulkerson traded his spikes for sneakers and began playing basketball. Three weeks into the season, he once again injured his knee. This time it required surgery to repair. In January he went under the knife and doctors did not clear him for any physical activity until June.

Even during summer passing activities, it was obvious that Fulkerson was favoring his injured leg. As the summer went on, he slowly became more confident with every cut he made.

"Jake is further along knowing that he

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Maggie Beck /Union Democrat

Summerville senior Jake Fulkerson runs Wednesday at practice on Thorsted Field.

Fulkerson is coming back after losing almost his entire junior season to injury. can make cuts that he couldn't make before," said Bears head coach Sean Leveroos. "It' s just a process in the mind more than it is in the body. He did a lot of extensive rehab and got cleared to go and we have zero restrictions on him right now. We don't know what may be going on between his ears, but you can see it in his body language and being able to make cuts leads to his confidence."

Though hehasn'tyet faced a team in an

official game since his surgery, when he runs onto Thorsted Field this evening, Fulkerson will be focused on helping his team, not his knee.

"I feel totally normal and I pretend like it didn't happen," Fulkerson said. "I feel 100-percent. I feel great. I just try to trust my doctor to fix me up and I have to put it See FULKERSON/Page 18

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'Skins' HeNngton wants to dominate, finish year strong "Theinjuryjust shocked me. I kept going through itin my mind. I really

By GUY DOSSI The Union Democrat

Garrett Heffington was the biggest and strongestmember of the 2014 Calaveras Redskins football team.

At 6-foot-4, 260-pounds, he was starting in the trenches on both sides

of the ball and was having an impressive beginning to his junior year.

On Oct. 3, 2014, his season came to an abrupt end.

The Redskins hosted the newest members of the Mother Lode League, the Sonora Wildcats. Early in the second quarter, Heffington took his stance on the defensive line and one play sent the big man to the ground.

oPcially out. It literallyfelt like I skipped myjunior year. It's like that year never happened."

— Redskins lineman Garrett Heffington

said. uI kept going through it in my mind. I really didn't know what to do once I was officially out. It literally felt like I skipped my junior year. It's like that year never really happened."

Injuries are an unwelcome part of playing football, but all players know the risk they take every time they put a helmet on and At the snap, he went to attack an offensive step onto the field. lineman. A split second later, Heffington was Calaveras head coach Jason Weatherby hit on his left calf and suffered a tom tendon has seen a lot of injuries, but HefIington's in his left ankle which required surgery to injury still upsets him.

"His injury last year was demoralizing repair the tom ligaments.

His junior season was over.

"The injury just shocked me," Heffington See HEFFINGTON / Page ll

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Calaveras senior lineman Garrett Heffington (above) takes on a teammate last week during practice at Frank Meyer Field.

Redskin line coach Scott Anderson (right) talks to Heffington and the rest of the linemen during that practice.

Heffington missed half the season last year with an injury and is looking forward to a full, successful season in 2015.

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Senior Blake Graham ready for full season, to anchor offensive line

By BILL ROZAK The Union Democrat

Sonora senior offensive guard/linebacker Blake Graham works on pass protection last Friday during practice at Dunlavy Field.

After Graham missed the first six games of last season, he helped the Wildcats reach the

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During a play, he broke two metacarpals in his right hand that sidelined the 6-foot-2, 240-pound budding star for just over half the season.

"Oh man, coming up on my first year on varsity and not being able to play, it really stunk, especially as a junior starter," Graham said last week afterpractice."I couldn' t play because Icould've easily knocked it more out of whack and been out for like 10 weeks instead

Blake Graham in 2014 was getting ready for his first varsity season of Sonorafootball.

He was doing all the right things. He worked hard. He participated in offseason weights and conditioning. He competed favorably that summer during the Wildcats annual Mountain Misery Football Camp. of six."

And heading into fall practice, Going into the first game the coaching staff was raving against longtime rival Oakdale, about how Graham was devel- ] the Wildcats were without a oping and the potential of the starting offensive lineman as well offensive line with the incoming as Sammy Page, they' re starting junior. quarterback and they fell to the I One week before the season Mustangs.

Page was able to return the began, Graham was a starter during a scrimmage and faced B l a ke Graham followingweek, butGraham had off against Manteca among other to pace the sideline and watch teams.

Sonora grow into division IV contender and That's where his season quickly became derailed.

See GRAIIA1%/ Page 12

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section title

game and is the lone returning starter on the offensive line.

Maggie Beck/ Union Democrat

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'Cats wi feature al backuniforms this year in front ofhomecrowd The Sonora Wildcats have a new look for the2015 footballseason.

Gone are the kelly green home jerseys from a year ago.

This year the Wildcats will be in all black uniforms except for the number and mascot name which are green with gold outline, and the small white Addidas logo.

The challenge is putting on the uniforms, they are very tight fitting and discourage other team's attempts to grab hold.

"I think they' re awesome," said Wildcat

But Page is only 5-feet-9, 177 pounds. What about a bigger body like the 5-9, 230-pounds of co-team captain Bradley Canepa?

"They' re pretty sweet," said Canepa, a starting linebacker and fullback. "Once they' re on, they move and stretch really good.

On the road, white becomes the dominant color, replacing the black.

Sonora's first home game will come against Hilmar in week three, Friday, Sept.

11, against Hil ma.

Unless the Wildcats host a playoff game, Page. "Getting them on is the hard part, but they will only wear the all blacks for three once you get them on, they' re awesome. They other games, Oct. 2 vs. Calaveras, Oct. 16 vs. stretch out."

Linden and Oct. 30 vs. Bret Harte. co-team captain and quarterback Sammy

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Summerville senior lineman Cole Elkins practices the scoop and score, picking up a fumble and returning it, during practice last week at Thorsted Field in Tuolumne.

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Maggie Beck/ Union Democrat

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year head coach Casey Kester has yet to name the starter going into the first game of the year, the supportive dynamic between the teammates Bret Harte quarterback James Brechtel was has not suffered in its stead.

"These guys are very, very supportjogging offDorroh Field on Aug. 22 aker a brief scrimmage vs. Golden Siive ofeach other,"Kester said."It's a erra.He had just ripped DQ'a 40-yard brotherhood here, is what we' re trytouchdown run out of the option. ing to get to. We' re all 'Frog warriors."

As he reached the sidelines, fellow Ultimately, the decision to open up e q uarterback Jo e y a four quarterback positionbattle Kraft — while warmwas due to an increase in depth at the ing up his arm before position that Bret Harte did not exo~ e taking the field vs. perience last year. One year ago, Bret Gait High — shouted Harte did not have a suitable backup at the 5-foot-8 junior to Ziehlke.

"The guy who Idid have playing while he drew near.

"Nicereads,"Kraft said. backup did not want to be backup at Brechtel and Kraft are just two of all. It was whatever Mike wanted to the four players — along with Foothill Mic h ael Ziehlke do . He didn't have anyone pressuring High transfer Luke Pinney and incumhim to throw better or run better or bent Michael Ziehlke — vying for the starting make better reads," Kester said. "Coming into this quarterback position this season at Bret Harte.

Although the competition has been fierce, as firstSee BATTLE / Page 13 The Union Democrat

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Bret Harte senior quarterback Michael Ziehlke protects the ball while at practice last week.

Ziehlke is the frontrunner to be the Bullfrogs starting quarterback when their season opens Sept.

4 against Orestimba at Dorroh Field.

Maggie Beck1 Union Democrat

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C ala v e r a s

HEFFINGTON Continuedfrom Page 5 because we not only got beat by way too much, it was done on a not so level of a playing field. It was done in a method that is not conducive to good football," Weatherby said.

Heffington not only missed half of the football schedule, he missed the entire wrestling season. He was on crutches for a

Shane Torre

Adam Pogue

few months following his surgery, but that didn't keep him &om spending as much time as he could in the weight room with one goal in mind â&#x20AC;&#x201D; getting back on the football field.

"Missing football and wrestling last year took a lot out of him," said Calaveras defensive coordinator Doug Clark. HSo, for him to come back and the way he has with the hard work that he put in over the offseason really shows his dedication to the prograiil.

Heffington was cleared by doctors in June to start working on his lower body in the weight room. He still has not tried to max out on certain core workouts, but he

Caleb Aeffes

Nathan Threat

is benching a solid 240-pounds while racking up 315-pounds on the deadlift. While

hislegs are getting stronger,hehas gained obvious upper body strength.

Once Heffington was cleared for full contact, he was given a new position on the offensive line. After starting at center in 2014,he has been moved totackle forthis season, which opened a spot at center for emerging sophomore John Kelley.

"We like to run off tackle," Weatherby said, "and with him and (Shane) Torre together, we should be able to get a pretty good push."

Heffington has brushed off the cobwebs and has reclaimed his mojo on the field. His teammates and coaches are happy to have the bigman back,and nobody is more excited than quarterback Dylan Byrd.

"He's a big guy who is really hard to get past," Byrd said. HHe does his job on the field and he does his job off the field. He' s always there if you need someone to watch film with or just someone to talk with. He' s always asking questions and is always ready to go. It means a lot having him back and healthy."

Calaveras has one of the youngest offensive lines they have had in years. With juniors and a sophomore joining Heffington on the line, he has proven to be a solid mentor to the younger players.

"He's a big gentle giant," laughed junior guard Nick Quinday.HBut he always plays hard on the field and he's a real role model for this team. When you are feeling down and don't feel like practicing, he's one of those guys who is always out there giving 100-percent."

It may be impossible for an injury to not linger in the mind, but Heffington doesn' t have time to think about it. His plate is already full with the expectations of his coaches and teammates.

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I don't see him thinking about or favoring his ankle at all," Weatherby said.HHis confidence level goes up each day that he practices. I am expecting big things &om Heff this year. By the time he hits week four or five, he will be like every senior on the team as far as experience. I think he gaineda lotofexperience lastyearandwas continuing to get better as the weeks went on until he got hurt."

Though it may have been apainfulexperience, Heffington learned a valuable les-

son &om his devastating injury.

Said Heffiington, "Going through this process, I have just had to continue to work hard and I' ve learned that every play could be my last, so Ineed to make every opportunity count."

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Sonora, California

P la y book

MOTHER LODE LEAGUESCHEDULES A28 S4 S11 S18 S25

02

Sonora Wildcats at Oak d al e 7: 1 5 p.m. at Lodi 7 : 1 5 p.m. vs. Hilmar 7 p.m. at Ripon 7 : 3 0 p.m. *at Argonaut 7 : 3 0 p.m. vs. C a laveras 7 : 3 0 p.m. *at Summerville 7 : 3 0 p.m. "vs. Linden 7 : 3 0 p.m. 'at Amador 7 : 3 0 p.m. 'vs. Bret Harte 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S25 02

09 023 030 N6

"vs. Bret Harte *at Sonora "vs. Argonaut *at Summerville 'vs. Linden *at Amador

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Summerville Bears A28 vs. Denair 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S3 vs. M a riposa 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S11 at Bradshaw Chr. 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S18 at Hu g hso n 7 : 3 0 p.m. "vs. Amador 7 : 3 0 p.m.

Calaveras Redskins S25 *at Bret Harte 7 : 3 0 p.m.

A28 vs. M c N ai r 7 : 3 0 p.m. 02 "vs. Sonora 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S4 at Escalon 7 : 3 0 p.m. 09 *atArgonaut 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S11 a t Modesto Chr. 7 : 3 0 p.m. 016 'vs. Calaveras 7 : 3 0 p.m.

S18 vs. UnionMine 7:30 p.m. 023 09

016 023 030

GRAHAM Continuedfrom Page 7 collect win aAer win.

"It was tough to watch and not play,"

7 : 3 0 p.m. S11 at R i pon Chr. S18 at R i v erbank *at Amador Bret Harte Bullfrogs 02 'vs. Bret Harte S4 vs . Orestimba 7:30 p.m.09 *at Sonora S11 vs. E s calon 7 : 3 0 p.m. 01 6 "vs. Argonaut S18 at Western Sierra 7 : 3 0 p.m. 023 *at Calaveras 7 : 3 0 p.m. 030 *at Calaveras S25 'vs. Summerville 7 : 3 0 p.m. N6 "vs. Summerville 02 *at Linden 7 : 3 0 p.m.

09 'vs. Amador 7 : 3 0 p.m.

01 6 Amador 023 vs. R iverbank 7 : 3 0 p.m. A28 vs. S an Juan *at Sonora 7 : 3 0 p.m. S4 030 at Rio Vista "vs. Argonaut 7 : 3 0 p.m. S11 v s . Capital Chr. N6 S25 'at Summerville *vs. Linden Linden Lions 02 A28 vs. O restimba 7 : 3 0 p.m. 09 vs. R i verbank *at Bret Harte S4 vs. Gustine 7:30 p.m. 016 N6

Graham said.

ARer losing to Oakdale, Sonora ripped off 6ve straight wins and it was apparent the 2014 Wildcats were on theirwa y to a special season.

After six games on the sideline, Graham

Loohinl Forward to a

Sreat Season of High School Football!

~(s)) BRET HARTE

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SUMMERVILLE

SONORA

CALAVERAS

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made his return to the lineup against crosscounty foe Summerville in front of a packed house at Dunlavy Field.

"I was so ready to hit somebody, I was out to kill," Graham said. "But I didn't do as well with my assignments as I wanted."

While the grading percentage Wildcat cooffensive coordinator/line coach Josh Kroeze uses to judge success on the offensive line wasn't ideal against the Bears, the following weeks Graham showed sharp improvement.

"Initially when he came back, he went through what other kids go through adjusting to the speed of the varsity game, finding a comfort zone," said Wildcat head coach Bryan Craig. "But as you saw, by the end of the season go here, he was going full bore hitting on all cylinders."

"As the season progressed,I started going from the 60 percentile to the 70 and 80 percentile," Graham said. "I had a couple of games in the 90s."

Before Graham, the Wildcats were rolling but didn't score 50 points in any game. With Graham, Sonora scored 54 points or more in four of its next five games, including 56 in a 6rst round playoff victory.

This season, Graham is the lone returning starter on the offensive line and the coaches are relying on him to help max out the potential of a new unit.

"He's gonna set the tone physically for us," Kroeze said. "He has experience. He's been out there when the bullets are flying. He knows what to expect. He's a captain on our team and it's been a few years since we' ve

had an offensive lineman that was a captain.

So I think that's real important to our group that he's out there on the field."

During So nor a's scrimmage Saturday against Manteca and Grace Davis at Ripon

023 030 N6

"vs. Sonora *at Argonaut 'vs. Calaveras

7 : 3 0 p.m.

7 : 3 0 p.m.

7 : 3 0 p.m.

Argonaut A28 at Colfax 7:15 p.m.

S4 vs. Brookside Chr. 7:30 p.m.

S11 at B e ar River 7:30 p.m.

S18 vs. Denair 7:30 p.m. *vs. Sonora S25 7:30 p.m. *at Calaveras 09 7:30 p.m.

016 ' vs. Summerville 7:30 p.m. *at Linden 023 7:30 p.m. 'vs. Amador 030 7:30 p.m. *at Bret Harte N6 7:30 p.m.

"— Mother Lode League game

"He' sgonna set the tonephysically for us. He has experience. He's been out

there when the bullets areflying ... " — Josh Kroeze, Sonora's co-offensive coordinator/line coach

High School, Graham immediately displayed his offseason of hard work.

"Blake played really well in the scrimmage and he kinda carried that over from camp

where he was real physical and was burying people," Kroeze said."Hehad fouror6vetrap blocks against Calaveras where he put his guy on his back. They were big hits.

"And on the first play of the scrimmage, he drovesomebody way back and put them on the ground. So he's been real physical. I think he kind of watched Zerek (Saldivar, MLL offensive lineman of the year) last year and what he was able to do and is motivated by the, 'I wanna get more than 17-plus blocks in one game.' I think he's taken over that role and

he's trying to be that physical presence for us."

Sonora's head coach wants Graham to set the bar for how the line plays and setting that bar is another way of saying, "I want Blake to physically dominate and show others how to."

And Graham is ready for the challenge.

'The coaches expect me to lead the way and lead by example. This year, I want to finish my blocks, I made that a big point in camp this year," Graham said before grabbing his helmet and picturing it full of stickers, or performance awards for making big plays. "I'm going to finish my blocks this year and this helmet is going to be full of stickers."

Contact sports editor Bill Rozak at brozak@

uniondemocrat.corn or 588-4542.

2 015

FULKERSON Continuedfrom Page 4 out of my mind. I just have to put the team first."

Fulkersonmay be happy tobe back helping his team on the gridiron, but it is his teammates that are most excited for his return.

"Jake is a player that you can't really replace on both sides of the ball," said senior lineman Kole Elkins. "He's a guy that we were hoping to have another great year after the year he had his sophomore year. We were counting on him having a great season."

"He just wants to be back out here with his team," said senior fullback and linebacker Nathaniel Ulvevadet. "He wants to help this team in whatever way he can. It was really hard on him last year to not be able to play

BATTLE Continuedfrom Page 9 year, we had some real good players coming up from theJV and they're allproven players. Then you' ve got a transfer. So it goes from nobodybehind Mike tohaving three."

And he has responded. According to Kester, the quarterback, who has three-years of experience within the system, has significantly improved his passing ability — one area Ziehlke especially emphasized this ofFseason.

"That's all we did really this offseason, was work on our passing," Ziehlke said.

In addition to the improvements in the passing aspect of the game, Ziehlke, who Kestersaid was the leading candidate to win the job going into week one, has worked to improve his athleticism.

"I just tried to push myself in the weight room as much as I could," Ziehlke said. "I should be able to keep my balance a lot better. If you watched film from last season, I'd get hit in the legs and I'd fall pretty easily. So I was just working on balance and

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while his team is out there busting their butts. I do think that it would have been a game changer if he would have been healthy all year. I don't think that he has anything to prove, but I think that he wants to show the team that he can perform and that we are a better team with him out there."

No other high school sport has a bond like football. The players often refer to each other as a family or as brothers. In 2014, an injury sidelined one of their brothers. Having Fulkerson back on the field means more than rushing yards or touchdowns scored. It is having the family back together.

"A lot of these guys have gone from kindergarten to 12th grade together," Leveroos said. 'They are brothers from another mother, and to see a brother back out on the field means a lot, especially aAer an injury. He' s lovedby a lotofhisteammates and respected agreat dealby the entire program."

"Theseguys are very, very supportive ofeachother.It' sa bortherhood here, is what we' retrying to get to. We' reall 'Frog warriors."

The Bears possess two of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the Mother Lode League with Fulkerson and senior JT McCready. In 2014, McCready had 932 receiving yards and was the main player to stop in the Summerville ofFense. With a healthy Fulkerson, that should take some of the opposing teams defensive game planning off McCready.

"Having Jake back out there is going to help open things up for our offense this year," said McCready, who like Fulkerson is a three-yearvarsity player."Last year,teams were keying on me and Humphrey (Quirie) most of the time. Having Jake out there is goingtotakethepressure offofm e and open things up for the ofFense. He's a team-leader.

He helps boost our confidence and helps us get to where we need to be."

For Leveroos, tonight will be his first game as the Bears head coach. He has a good shot

of getting his first win with Fulkerson being one of the key pieces in the new Summerville ofFensive system.

"Any time that you are thinking of an offensive weapon, you just try to get him the ball as many times as you can," Leveroos said. "From the defensive side of the ball, he is able to make plays because of his vision and anticipation. When you are a coach, you just hope to not do too much to cloud his mind and just let him think quickly and clearly."

Though the first game of the season is tonight, Fulkerson already has plans for midNovember when the playofFs roll around.

"My goal for this season is to hopefully go perfect and not lose a game," Fulkerson said.

"I would like to have a home playofF game."

wants to improve in the passing game. And the quarterback competition has helped him grow this summer.

"Every day it brings out what I have to work on to get better, what I have to improve," Kraft said. "Knowing that they' re

breathing down my neck is a good fire to keep megrowing,keep me pushing myself."

Contact sports reporter Guy Dossi at gdossi@uniondemocrat.corn or 588-4538.

Contact CalaverasCounty reporter Jason Coivan at j cowan@uniondemocrat.corn or

588-4531.

— Casey Kester, Bret Harte head coach

Pinney, the only quarterback in the running who was not with the program last year, was the only one who experienced somewhat of a transition coming to Bret

Harte.

However, the 11-year football veteran has experience with the triple option, running the offense in his youth.

"Once I got used to the terminology and the no-huddle, I picked it up," Pinney said.

B RAK E S A LI G N M E N T S S HOCK S &

'Vile were fine."

The final two, Brechtel and Kraft, shared the starting role in Bret Harte's junior varsityprogram last season, Brechtel said.

Although the two were functioning in the same offensive scheme and will be again this year, both quarterbacks have different styles.

Brechtel, a prototypical pocket passer, wants to be known for his arm. However, he also wants to improve his physicality and power."

The four man quarterback battle will be athleticism within the read option.

"Michael and Joey Kraft, they have amaznarrowed down to two prior to the start of the season. From that point, the two ing speed, amazing athleticism. (They) can remainders will battle in practice for the be practic ally a quarterback and a running starting position prior to its first game, back," Brechtel said. "Every time I go to Sept. 4, vs. Orestimba at home. practice, I watch them and how they run "Whoever shows who is the best quarter- with the ball — knees high, tucked up. They back during the season will end up getting never look down and will always keep their it," Pinney said. "There will be a No. 1 and a eyes on who is right there."

No. 2. Going into the season, it's going to be According to Kester, Kraft is the fourth an open battle, still between those guys. If fastest player on the team. He acknowledgthe No. 2 in practice is showing more, he' ll es that he is most successful when reading move over No. 1." the defense and running with the ball but

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TRADITIONS Continuedfrom Page 3 door in the Calaveras locker room as a reminder how to play.

"The sign says, 'Play Like A Champion Today' and they jump and hit it on their way out to the field. That is something that is not coach driven. It's something that the kids do on their own. That sign has been up over 18 years." eWe've been touching that sign since Pop Warner when we would come out of the locker room after being weighed in," said senior quarterback Dylan Byrd. "A lot of times you touch that sign and a lot of times you win â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and that's what we like. That sign is good luck."

Calaveras and Sonora are programs that are saturated with traditions. Summerville and Bret Harte have longstanding traditions, but with two first-year head coaches (Sean Leveroos, Summerville; Casey Kester, Bret Harte) they are trying to put their own stamp on their programs.

"The things that I'm trying to do is to change the attitude of what's on the field and what's in the stands," Kester said.

A change that Kester has made to the program is the way the Bullfrogs practice. He has put his own spin on the con-

The Sonora Wildcats entered Dunlavy Field last season through the packed stands before their

clash against the Summerville Bears.

The Wildcats save that special entrance for big games and special occasions.

ventionalpractice gear.

eWe are going with a five-piece girdle, which has the thigh pads, hip pads, and a butt pad," Kester said. "The guys will wear shorts and have volleyball knee pads. So the guys won' t have to wear regular practice pants which can be pretty hot and restrictive. We will be able to do a lot of agility and when it is time for hitting or grass drills, they will pull the knee pads over the knees and go."

Field entrance is a common tradition that the majority of school's take pride in, and Bret Harte is no exception. eWe are trying to get the school band to do a drumline the last 10 to 15 minutes of our pregame warmups," Kester said.

"And then have them lead the team back onto the field."

Sean Leveroos is trying to mix some old school traditions with a fresh feel. In 1991, when the Summerville Bears took the field against the LeGrand Bulldogs, they ran out in all black uniforms with AC/DC's "Back in Black" playing over the sound system. That is something the Bears are looking to bring back. While "Black in Black" or Guns N' Roses 'Welcome to the Jungle" are potential entrance songs, Summerville will be once again dressed in all black.

"Most of the coaches that are out here coaching wore black jerseys when we played and we are going back to black," Leveroos said. eWe aregoing back to the days when Summerville won 15-straight league games and three straight leaguetitlesin arow.W earegoing back tothose days."

A new tradition at Summerville will involve a team photo.

"In years past, when we would take our team photo there would be a picture of the varsity team and the JV team," Leveroos said. "Now we are going to have a program photo. If we are going to have program wide coaching, we should have a program wide picture."

One of the best high school football traditions is players collecting performance stickers that they put on their helmets as a reward for outstanding play in the previous week' s game. At the beginning of the season, a players helmet is bare. By the end of the year, the once spotless helmet is a scratched up trophy filled with little badges of honor.

"It's a reward system and the kids like it," Craig said.

"They come out on the field and they have a lot of stickers on their helmet, so it shows that they have done a lot of good things in games. It could be interceptions or tackles. For

File photo / Union Democrat

offensive linemen, if we run for 300 yards in a game, or a couple 100-yard rushers, they will get stickers."

Calaveras also hands out performance stickers, but not without a W. 'They don't get them if they don't win," Weatherby said.

"The whole team gets one for a win, and for special performances."

Whether it be entering the field, performance stickers, or music, there is one thing that all four schools have in com-

mon â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they love to eat.

Thursday nights are a popular night for teammates to get together and have one final feast before they head into battle on Friday. Players are also fed a solid meal before a game, and the food ranges from delicious

homemade delicacies, to PB& J. "The Boston Celtics would have peanut butter and jelly before games in 2008, the last time they won the NBA Championship," Leveroos said. 'We swapped our Friday night dinners for PB&J." Traditions are important for each school, and each tradition holds a special and different meaning to everyone involved. But the most important tradition, the one that each player and coach would gladly trade stickers, songs and PB&J for, is winning. Beginning tonight, starting or continuing a winning tradition is the most important tradition of all.

Contact sports reporter Guy Dossi at gdossi@uniondemo-

crat.corn or 588-4538.

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A SPORTS INJURY SHOULDN T LEAVE YOU 1%

Whether you have suffered an acute injury or Qa continue to battle a chronic musculoskeletal condition, our team is here to listen to your concerns develop a plan of action and get you t back in the game quickly and safely.

Call our triage line at 209-536-5797. Our experts areavailable 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday — Friday, to answer your questions, schedule appointments and give you peace ofmind.

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209-536-5797 General Information. internet .........www.SonoraSportsMedicine.corn

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