High school football teams from the tri-counties gathered at Bishop Diego on Friday and Saturday for a passing league competition and lineman challenge.
Bishop, Santa Barbara High, Pioneer Valley and Mission Prep of San Luis Obispo fielded teams in both competitions; Hueneme took part in the passing league while Dos Pueblos and Oaks Christian entered linemen teams.
Bishop coach Tom Crawford said the off-season activity is an opportunity for teams to get in quality repetitions and build depth.
?I tell guys that come Game 1 of the season, no one remembers your passing league record anyway,? Crawford said. ?I think all the coaches of the schools that participated (Friday) and today have the same approach.?
They did keep score in the lineman competition and Dos Pueblos edged Bishop Diego for first place by two points; Pioneer Valley was third followed by Oaks Christian, Santa Barbara and Mission Prep.
This early competitive activity is especially important this year because the high school football season has been compressed due to the addition of regional bowl games following the section playoffs. The regular season starts Aug. 24 and the section playoffs must be completed by Dec. 1. Regional playoffs in five divisions are scheduled Dec. 7-8. The regional winners will play in state championship games the following weekend.
