News Summary
As the fall practice season approaches, Los Angeles City Section coaches are working together to overcome challenges in high school football. They prioritize player development and maintaining engagement among players and parents. Despite the competitive nature of sports, coaches aim for collaboration over rivalry, focusing on academic and athletic growth. The upcoming season sees increased participation with new facilities being introduced, while past controversies linger. Coaches are dedicated to mentoring youth and managing team dynamics, with play-offs around the corner.
Los Angeles Coaches Unite for Upcoming Football Season
The City Section’s 11-man football coaches are mobilizing efforts ahead of the official start of the fall practice season, emphasizing collaboration to face multifaceted challenges. With a focus on fostering environments that keep players and parents engaged, these coaches are committed more than ever to the development of young athletes both on and off the field.
As they prepare for the season, coaches have expressed a collective resolve to embrace the challenges, rather than viewing each other as competitors. Many are walk-ons who dedicate their time for the less tangible victories that inspire them to continue coaching. The primary objective remains clear: to help students grow as players and scholars, relegating the pursuit of on-field wins to a secondary status. However, coaches also express a strong desire for a fair and equitable playing field, which they recognize is often difficult to attain.
Last season, a significant moment highlighted the ongoing struggles within the league when head coaches from San Pedro, Gardena, Carson, and Banning forfeited games against Narbonne to protest alleged rule violations, sparking an LAUSD investigation. This decision was met with criticism from the community, resulting in Narbonne vacating its City title and being deemed ineligible for upcoming playoffs. Of the coaches involved in the protest, most have since resigned, with the exception of San Pedro’s Corey Walsh, who continues to lead his team.
During their annual meeting, City Section coaches discussed shared challenges, including academic eligibility requirements and efforts to boost roster numbers. More seasoned coaches are stepping up as mentors to their younger counterparts, providing guidance and support as they navigate the intricacies of high school football.
Historically competitive schools such as Carson, Banning, Dorsey, and Crenshaw are presently grappling with the challenge of competing against traditionally strong Southern Section programs. However, advancements are evident as new athletic facilities are being constructed across the district, including all-weather and grass fields. Schools like Garfield, Roosevelt, and Hamilton are set to unveil new stadiums in a move aimed at enhancing the student-athlete experience.
This season, 71 schools are participating in City Section 11-man football. Among them, Palisades High is making a comeback after suffering damages from the Palisades fire, and will play this season at Santa Monica College. Meanwhile, the last few years have seen the Division 1 titles dominated by powerhouse teams such as Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, showing the steep competition within the league. Exciting matchups are anticipated in the Southern Section, highlighting teams like Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo.
Coaches in the City Section receive a stipend of $5,622 over four months, which reflects their commitment to providing discipline and mentorship to teenagers. However, there are ongoing issues as the City Section championship trophy has gone missing, with officials calling for assistance to recover it.
As Narbonne’s football team readies for a return to the playoffs following a four-game suspension due to protests, concerns about potential player ineligibility loom, which could impact their playoff standings. Meanwhile, coaches are preparing to tackle the excitement and challenges of practice sessions, where young players will learn to wear pads for the first time.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Football Practice Begins
- Google Search: Los Angeles City Section Football
- High School Football America: City Section Football Playoffs
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Los Angeles Times: City Section Football Predictions
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Daily Breeze: Open Division Playoffs
- Google Scholar: High School Football in California
