Teams starting to gear up for upcoming 2021 season
Noah Farmer works on an agility drill as football players practice in squads at the Santa Fe High School football field in Santa Fe Springs on Wednesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
NORWALK – With the excitement of live professional sports in the air these days, high school sports in Southern California are just 84 days away.
Football will officially begin a four-week full practice Monday December 18, before the opening of a long-awaited season on Friday January 8.
One of the marquee events in the Norwalk area will be the opening of the new on-campus sports complex and football stadium that evening.
Norwalk, which has never had an on-campus stadium, will host Bell.
Santa Fe coach Dave Pierson was just happy to see his kids on the field again when they started back up with their conditioning recently.
“You have that sense of excitement,” said Pierson, who is a graduate of Santa Fe. “This year is a unique experience. This year is different.
“This whole year has been trying and this whole thing (practice/conditioning) is just a return to normalcy. To see a kids eyes through his helmet – that’s why I coach – just watching kids enjoy themselves.”
One of those kids – Santa Fe Jr. offensive and defensive lineman, Damian Hernandez said of his excitement to be out on the field: “I’m so excited,” said Hernandez, who missed all of last season with a leg injury. “We haven’t seen each other in a long time. It’s been a while since we were together.”
Hernandez has actually been around the Santa Fe program for years. He was a ball bay for legendary coach Jack Mahlstede for seven years and Hernandez’ dad is an assistant to Pierson.
“I’m thrilled to be back out there, since last year I didn’t get to play because of my injury,” Hernandez added.
Hernandez also said that COVID-19 “hit his family hard.”
He dad was in quarantine for two weeks but is fine now.
Pierson, in his ninth year at Santa Fe, had his own thoughts about any further announcements by the CIF office - “My gut feeling is I think CIF will make a decision around Thanksgiving on what is ahead for the coming season.”
The following is the latest update from CIF Southern Section Commissioner of Athletics, Rob Wigod:
There has been one constant since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March… CHANGE! We have seen so many different things develop over the last several months and it has been extremely difficult to keep up with all the dynamics involved.
However, what I want to assure you is there is one thing that will not change and that is our 2020-21 Sports Calendars. They remain in place since they were announced on July 20 and will continue to remain in place as we begin October, approach November, and move forward in preparation for the launch of our Fall Sports season in mid-December.
Our member schools have done a remarkable job of arranging schedules and making plans for what lies ahead, and I truly appreciate the incredible efforts they have made in service to our student athletes. Hopefully, progress will continue to be made in getting our students back on campus for academics and athletics as we forge on through these unprecedented times.
What they said:
Santa Fe coach, Dave Pierson:
“The kids are excited to be around their teammates. We’re just re-acclimating to football life and they just like being amongst their peers. We have a large group of seniors that are hoping for success.
I’m optimistic for the kids, but obviously there’s going to have to be changes.”
Damian Hernandez, Jr. Santa Fe – Offensive, defensive line – “It’s exciting to be back on the field. It’s been a long wait. Getting with my teammates, they’re my family. I’m looking forward to having a successful year. I’ve been watching a lot of film. It’s going to be difficult, since we only will have a couple of weeks to practice before our first game.”
This year we have a lot of experience. I’m just ready to get the pads on and start banging.
Our coach (Pierson) is really a good coach. He’s following the guidelines. And he’s one of the best offensive coordinators I’ve seen. I lead by setting an example and following the guidelines. I just want to have a successful junior year, leading into my senior year.
Noah Farmer, Sr. Santa Fe - Offensive, defensive line – “With this (COVID) it has been a little bit of a struggle, a worry, leading into whether or not the season is going to happen. As of now, we’re hopeful.
With the long time off, some are out of shape, but were going to get our guys built up.
I think we can have a good season. I’m looking to finish my season with a bang. I plan to lead my team by keeping everyone in shape, making sure everyone is following the guidelines and nobody puts our team in jeopardy.
It’s been fun being out there and we’ve had about four weeks of conditioning and there’s not a lot of time to prepare, but we have a lot of returners.