Saile Ramirez
The high school football dead period is like the calm before the storm. It signals to all that prep football is almost in full swing. Summer practices are now in the back burner and it is up to the players to stay in shape until their team’s fall camp begins. Dead period can make or break any team. Dead period is like the voluntary team workouts of the NFL.
Many players have the ability to take family vacations during this time or get some extra work in on their own. Many run the risk of enjoying the time off and coming back to camp in not the best shape. Though there are several exceptions, many players work very hard to stay in game shape while on the dead period.
One of those players working hard is Jr. to be Mikal Quintanilla. The Temple City QB returns after throwing for nearly 700 yards and 8 touchdowns as a Sophomore starter.
“I have been working hard this offseason on my technique, footwork, and accuracy,” says Quintanilla with his goal being to “get better each and every day.”
The TC QB is not shy about leading his team. “I always encourage my teammates to leave it all on the field, knowing that we are all in this together.”
The biggest thing Quintanilla is looking forward to “is seeing our team in action after all the hard work we have put in together,” and to just “focus on one week at a time and get better. “ With a year now behind him look for Mikal to lead his team into the Rio Hondo League title chase.
Now with passing league finally behind us, we start to put the season portrait together. The biggest noise I’ve heard this summer was coming from the SGV Shootout. Of course it was about how over powering Henry Omana looked leading his Brahmas to victory.
The other noise being made was how less dominating Whittier Christian’s offense looked. Of course the biggest change in the offense is the loss of Senior QB Stephen Anderson who in his final two seasons threw for a combined 4,900 yards 45 touchdowns as well as having a Mid Valley Division finals appearance.
Typically with the loss of a multiple year starter at quarterback, the expectations for the next guy in line are pretty high. So I decided to ask Coach Sergio Gradilla at WC how things have gone over the summer. “Our summer went well and Daniel Chacon will be our starter. He has had a tremendous summer and we are expecting big things from him,” said Gradilla of his quarterback.
As a Jr. last year Chacon was listed as a team captain and caught 42 passes for 448 yards and three scores.
We are less than two weeks away from the start of most fall camps and that means we are less than a month away from the start of the season.
Stay Classy San Diego
Reach Saile at saile@midvalleysports.com
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