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.