Football practice has officially started once again

Every football player loves the first day of practice. On Monday, players for Vista del Lago, Folsom and Oak Ridge and all the schools in the Sac-Joaquin Section slipped their helmets on for the first day of practice. At Vista, where practice started at 5:50 a.m. before the sun came up, it was nice and cool and the players and coaches were both excited for the day. "My body feels pretty good and now I'm just trying to grind and get the work in," junior quarterback Jacoby More said. "I had a good offseason. I tried to stay in my own lane and not worry about anything else and work to get better. I'm coming off an injury and now I'm 100 percent healthy. I'm definitely stronger and faster and more developed and looking forward to my second year. As a team, I think we're faster. We've got some nice receivers and good running backs and we're ready to work." Senior receiver Cael Rens is also ready to get the season started. "I'm excited," Rens said. "We've got a good group of guys who have worked all spring to get where we are right now. Last year we had some doubters, but this year we won't, especially later on in the season. It's going to be a good year." This year the Eagles are doing something different, as the junior varsity and varsity teams are practicing together. "We are building the younger JV guys to get in-game varsity reps, which will be really good when the season gets here," Rens said. " Rens anticipates a good season for himself, the offense and the entire team."I've had a good offseason," Rens said. "There's been a lot of rest and recovery, as I'm trying to get myself right for the season, both physically and mentally. Our offense will be legit. Drake Melendez will be in the slot and he's a speedster. We challenge each other every day and hold each other accountable to work harder. Our outsides are going to be lethal. I'm excited. I'm stoked. Section championship here we come." Preparing for his first season on varsity last year, sophomore Gavin Brainerd was coming off an ankle injury. This year the junior running back is 100 percent healthy and eager for the start of the season. "I'm very excited for the season," Brainerd said. "I've just been waiting for football season to come up. That's all I've been wanting and looking forward to. I've got a lot of speed and explosiveness this year because I'm not coming off injury. I'm way ahead of where I was last year. "Our offense is looking great. I've always loved the scheme. I think our run game is getting better and I'm very excited to play more running back this season. I'm excited to play corner too. It might be tiring, but I love football." Brainerd thinks the Eagles will be a lot better this year than last season. "I think we're a great team and we've always been a great team," Brainerd said. "We were undefeated as eighth and ninth graders and last year our JV team was 9-1. Our varsity didn't do as well as we would have liked, but we've got all the tools that we need to have a great season. Our starting lineup is a lot of juniors that will be playing varsity for the first time, but I think we'll be ready for it." Even Vista's head coach, Mike Struebing, is excited for the first day of practice. "I love the first day of practice," Struebing said. "It starts to feel like real football now. The energy is always a little better; guys are excited. Starting in January, it's a long stretch, but now we've got our helmets on and I'm excited for the season. I'd be OK if I never coached a game. I'm a practice guy. I love coaching the game and working with the guys."