Redlands Daily Facts

Post date: Jul 15, 2009 8:21:55 AM

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Mario Alvarado, left, and Kyle Haddock,

right, performs stretches with their

teammates during Citrus Valley High

School summer practice at Clement

Middle School Wednesday afternoon.

(Kevin Trudgeon)

Citrus Valley football

prepares for passing

tournament

Kevin Trudgeon, Staff Writer

Posted: 07/09/2009 08:55:24 PM PDT

By KEVIN TRUDGEON

Staff Writer

REDLANDS - After watching one of his

sophomore quarterbacks roll out to the right and

fire a strike to a streaking fullback in the flat,

Citrus Valley High School football coach Pete

Smolin could not help but smile.

It may have only been one perfect play in a

series of failed ones, but it showed that the

Blackhawks were learning.

"It's a process," said Smolin, whose team will

finish up their summer practices at Clement

Middle School on Tuesday, July 10.

Although more passes fell uncaught and nearly

every play ended with a receiver running the

wrong route or a quarterback making the

incorrect read, Smolin saw improvement in his

team.

"It's tough, because

we're having them read the defenses and react,"

said Smolin as his team ran through 7-on-7

drills. "But we're definitely coming along. We

have some talented kids, it's just going to take

some time to develop."

The passing drills followed weight lifting and

film sessions between the varsity and freshmen

teams as Smolin and his staff continue to

prepare for the upcoming season.

"We're going to compete in the Claremont

Passing Tournament on Friday, and there are

some good teams there," Smolin said. "So that

should help us see where we are as a team."

Smolin and the Blackhawks took part in the

Inland Empire Tournament of Champions Passing

League Tournament in June and will be getting

their second taste of competition today.

Although Citrus Valley will undoubtedly be

outsized by nearly all of the teams, Smolin

expects his squad to compete.

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Sophomore quarterback Evan Lucero

gets a spot from Citrus Valley High

School defensive backs coach John

Martin while weightlifting Wednesday

afternoon. (Kevin Trudgeon)

"We're getting better everyday," Smolin said. "It's

going to take time, but we'll get there."

After they conclude their practices at Clement,

the Blackhawks will hold a three-week weight

lifting session on campus before resuming

practices in August on their home field.

E-mail Staff Writer Kevin Trudgeon at

ktrudgeon@redlandsdailyfacts.com

http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/fdcp?1247646073364

2 of 2 7/15/09 1:21 AM