Learning is key for Flintridge Prep football
Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Flintridge Prep football team values learning considering its players study at a rigorous academic institution.
Tuesday’s practice was approached as a learning experience for players and assistant coach Ramses Barden.
The former New York Giants wide receiver and school alumnus was in charge with head coach Russell White helping his family relocate from northern California and with assistant coach Glen Beattie at a prior engagement.
“Right now, it’s about identity, unity, belief and self-determination for the benefit of the team,” said Barden when asked what he wanted the team to work on this summer. “Regardless of who’s here, we’re always full. In terms of our capacity to achieve and our maximum potential, we reside at our maximum potential if for no other reason than we’re always learning.”
An unexpected helper at practice was one-time Flintridge Prep standout quarterback Andrew Tsangeos.
The former All-Area signal-caller and current University of Richmond Spider has been back home since early May and working out at the Flintridge Prep weight room. Tsangeos offered some advice to his replacement, incoming junior quarterback John Lytle.
“We talked about the camps he went to at UCLA and Redlands,” said Tsangeos, who red-shirted his freshman season of 2016 at Richmond and who has bulked up from 200 pounds to 225 to play tight end. “I told him that the big thing about these camps is just to learn. I know everyone wants to talk about recruiting, but he’s still young and right now it’s all about learning and growing.”
Tsangeos was a three-year starter for the Rebels from 2013-15 and Lytle is on course to also start three seasons. Those parallels were not lost on Lytle.
“He’s an inspiring guy because he did so much during his time here and I want to do the same,” Lytle said of Tsangeos. “He’s given me some great advice and it’s nice to be here in my second year with experience. I’m so far ahead of last year.”
Though summer football practices can be laborious and taxing, that was not the case for incoming senior Jonathan Au.
The linebacker/offensive lineman tore a ligament in his arm in the fourth game last season versus Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies and missed the final seven contests.
“It’s nice to be out here working because it was just so different for me last year,” Au said. “I came into these practices saying it’s going to be different. I’m excited to be out here and I’m not taking anything for granted.”
Though drills and conditioning are important aspects of summer football, incoming sophomore linebacker/running back Charlie McCormick stressed the need for even more fundamental preparation.
“Right now, it’s all about hard work,” McCormick said. “We’re trying to pump up the numbers in the weight room, trying to lift heavier. Right now, it’s about getting bigger and faster. Yes, we’re going to be learning our plays as well.”
Flintridge Prep senior Will Tayback added that, “it’s also about mental preparation. It’s about having the team together. The coaches have already given us the tools and we’ve learned. Now, it’s time to use them.”
