FOOTBALL 2021: University Trojans got ready with ‘track practice’ in January

University High’s football players go through conditioning drills this week. (Photo courtesy University football)

University High’s football players got the green light Tuesday to start full practice Friday in preparation for their season opener with defending Pacific Coast League champion Portola on Friday, March 12

“I’m excited for the kids,” said Uni’s second-year coach Chris Hernandez. “We have a core group who never gave up hope and had been showing up for our fall and winter camp practices.

“I’m so proud of them and their commitment. They are the type of players who turn around a program.  I’ve had to put some of my personal style preferences aside, as far as how practice is run, but every coach has had to.

“I’m just glad that we started running what I call ‘track practice’ in January, to get our flexibility, run technique, and cardiovascular health ready in case we got the green light to start March 1. I’m sure the kids are glad that those conditioning practices are over, and now we get actual football time. I have always believed we are blessed to play and coach football in a normal year, and now I’m sure my players feel that way too.”

Under current guidelines from the California Department of Public Health and the CIF, only immediate family of players will be allowed to attend the games, but local schools will make the final decisions.

Following the abbreviated six-game season against Pacific Coast League teams, there will be no CIF playoffs. University will be playing five of its six games at University, including the Friday, April 9 game with Woodbridge. Woodbridge will be the home team for that game.

TROJANS SCHEDULE

Friday, March 12, at Portola

Friday, March 19, home vs. Laguna Hills

Friday, March 26, home vs. Northwood

Friday, April 2, home vs. Beckman

Friday, April 9, vs. Woodbridge at University

Friday, April 16, home vs. Irvine

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com