Passing Tournament

Post date: Jun 24, 2009 5:13:15 AM

Citrus Valley High School football competes in Passing Tournament in Fontana

Kevin Trudgeon, Staff Writer

Posted: 06/23/2009 05:29:15 PM PDT

By KEVIN TRUDGEON

Staff Writer

REDLANDS - In their fourth week of existence,

the Citrus Valley High School football team got

its first taste of competition.

Playing in the 2009 Inland Empire Tournament of

Champions Passing League Tournament at the

Ralph M. Lewis Complex in Fontana, the

Blackhawks went up against some of the top

programs in the area on Saturday.

"The tournament went really well," said Citrus

Valley head coach Pete Smolin. "We knew that

physically the other teams would be a lot bigger

than us, but it was good to get out there and get

to know the speed and intensity of varsity

football."

Smolin said the Blackhawks took on reigning

Citrus Belt League champion A.B. Miller High

School, and Santiago, Serrano, and Paloma Valley

"It was a 7-on-7, one-hand touch passing

tournament," Smolin said. "I think everyone was a

little shell-shocked at first, but as far as

knowledge of assignment and hustle, I was

happy with how our kids played."

Smolin mentioned sophomores Giordan Dillard

(running back/safety), Jarred Howell (wide

receiver/defensive back) and Jason Snow (running

back/linebacker) as players who impressed with

their play on the field.

"We brought about 20 kids with us and had three

quarterbacks who all got equal time," Smolin

said. "It was a good experience for us. We have

to keep things in perspective and know that it's

going to take time, but I think we're building a

good foundation."

Unable to practice on their home field until after

July, Citrus Valley has been working out on the

field at Clement Middle School four days a week.

"It's been really great," Smolin said. "The district

has been great, we've got a classroom that we

use and they brought out a storage container for

our equipment. And the grounds crew from Citrus

Valley came out and drew lines and put numbers

and hashes on the field for us."

Smolin said his team will practice through July 14

before taking some time off. The Blackhawks will

return to practice, on their home campus, in early

August.

Citrus Valley next competes in the Claremont

Passing Tournament starting Friday, July 10.