High School Football: Breakers open summer camp
Monday marked the start of a new era in the Laguna Beach High football program.
The Breakers opened summer camp at Guyer Field under the guidance of new head Coach Ted Clarke. The first week of their summer session ends Saturday with the Breakers competing at the Duarte 7-on-7 Passing Tournament and Lineman Competition at Duarte High.
Clarke got his first look at his players Monday.
“I’m a pretty optimistic individual, and we are 24-strong right now,” he said of a group that began summer camp. “This is a great group of kids. They listen and want to learn. We’re getting at it from the basics.
“We have some other kids right now who are playing summer baseball and basketball who will join us later. We believe in two- and three-sport kids. This week has been about getting a feeling for things. These kids have handled it well.”
The Duarte 7-on-7 Passing Tournament and Lineman Competition is in its first year. Ten teams are competing for the tourney title. The lineman competition starts at 9 a.m. followed at 10 a.m. by the passing tournament.
In addition to host school Duarte and Laguna, other teams in the tournament include Eagle Rock, Franklin, Hacienda Heights Wilson, Workman, Yucaipa (A and B teams), Baldwin Park and South Torrance.
Clarke said that Jack Simon and Curtis Harrison will take reps at quarterback during the tournament, and that Harrison also will see time at wide receiver and defensive back.
“We are approaching the tournament as just another practice session for us,” Clarke said. “We got a late start to the summer, so I’m not worried about the outcome Saturday. We will go out and repeat the six to eight plays we’ve incorporated this week, as well as the one defensive front and coverage. We’re looking to see how our guys are going through the process.”
For the passing tournament, teams will be divided into pool groups and each team will play four cross-pool games. In the afternoon session, the top eight teams from pool play advance to the championship bracket. Teams seeded ninth and 10th will play a consolation game.
Laguna opens the tournament with pool play matchups against Eagle Rock, South Torrance, Yucaipa “B,” and Baldwin Park.
The lineman competition includes five events.
Twitter: @MikeSciacca