KICKOFF: Most Orange County high school football...

KICKOFF: Most Orange County high school football players begin two-a-day practices today, putting in the hours they hope will lead to success. “It’s the time for the kids to put away those suitcases, vacation is over,” Sunny Hills Coach Tim Devaney said. “They have to get their bodies ready to do things they have never done before.” . . . Marina High of Huntington Beach will open the season Sept. 1 against a Hawaiian team in the Shawn Akina Memorial Classic at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium, but play begins for most teams the following weekend.

GAUNTLET: Sunset League teams had better be on the ball this season--after realignment, there are no easy games in league play. Edison, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Marina, the league’s top four teams, remain and are joined by powers Esperanza and Los Alamitos. The six schools have been in 17 section championship games since 1980. Said Edison Athletic Director Lyman Clower: “At the end of the season there is going to be a last-place team that could have done pretty good in the playoffs.”

REUBEN, REUBEN: One player who will be closely watched is Anaheim High’s Reuben Droughns, who is on pace to set the county career rushing record. Droughns, a junior, gained 2,039 yards last season, seventh most in county history. If he keeps it up, he could pass Valencia’s Ray Pallares, who gained 5,396 yards from 1983-85. “It’s going to be a little harder for Reuben this season because teams will be laying for him,” Coach Allen Carter said. “But he’s a little bigger, a little faster and a little stronger this year.”

TONNAGE: Senior tackles Josh Beckett and Kris Farris of Santa Margarita High will make things difficult for opposing defenses. Beckett’s 6-foot-5, 305 pounds; Farris is 6-8, 275. Coach Jim Hartigan hopes they will help control the offensive line, but can Hartigan control the buffet line? “Those two have definitely increased our food budget,” Hartigan said. “I told the person who runs the team meals to beef up the food this year. I don’t want those two big guys mad at me.”