Springing into action

Warriors open season on Sept. 2

Joe Baugh, an assistant coach with the Del Norte High School football team, runs team members through drills during a recent practice. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

The second-year Del Norte Warrior varsity head football coach said that the team has done well during the annual practices, which conclude next Tuesday or Wednesday.

These practice sessions are invaluable for the coaching staff as they install new schemes, focus on the fundamentals and get a feel for the squad, Rook believes.

“It gives us a chance to look at things on the field and, if needed, tweak things around,” he said. “It allows us to go, ‘we don’t like this, or, we like that.’ ”

To him, it’s a needed opportunity to work closely with the players and give them a clear sense of what is expected.

 “It really give us the time to work with them and focus on the fundamentals,” Rook said. “It helps us be better prepared for the season.”

At practice on Tuesday, the players were intently focused as some worked on throwing and receiving drills, while others worked on their tackling or their blocking technique on the offensive line.

Nic Bell, who will be a senior this fall, said that he and the other players understand the importance of spring practice.

“It gets us ready for the fall,” he said. “We’re excited. It should be a good team.”

Del Norte High quarterback Julian Markussen gets ready to throw the football during a recent practice. Spring practice concludes next week, with the season opener at home on Sept. 2. The Daily Triplicate/Bryant Anderson

This includes Bell and many of his teammates getting up early in the morning and taking part in a weight training program before school.

Rook has been impressed by the dedication many of the players have shown and said that it’s great to see them give it their all and “be dedicated to the program.”

Del Norte opens the season on Sept. 2  at home against Hidden Valley, Ore.

Starting on June 18, Del Norte will take part in a summer camp in Gold Beach, Ore., and will take part in another camp later in the summer in McKinleyville.

Last year, Del Norte finished the season 4-7 and earned a berth in the Northcoast Section playoffs. This included a double overtime Big 3 Conference upset of Eureka.

This season, McKinleyville and Arcata are rejoining the conference, so it will again be called the Big 5 in football for the first time since 2007.

Below is the tentative football schedule.

• Sept 2: Hidden Valley at home

• Sept. 10: at Ferndale

• Sept. 16: Brookings-Harbor at home

• Sept. 23: McKinleyville at home

• Sept. 30: at Arcata

• Oct. 7: Fortuna at home

• Oct. 14: Bye

• Oct. 21: Eureka at home

• Oct. 28: at Fortuna

• Nov. 4: Arcata at home

• Nov. 11: at McKinleyville