No shortage of learning in summer for Hoover High football

Outside of the regular season, summer ball is the most important time of the season as it relates to high school football.

That’s the viewpoint Hoover fourth-year football Coach Matt Andersen shared with his team before summer ball began June 6 and wrapped up Friday.

“I think it’s extremely important to have,” Andersen said. “It should be one of the highest priorities, because it’s a good opportunity for the players to get in repetitions in different drills and then being able to constantly learn from them so they are prepared come the regular season.

“We have a dead period after summer for a few weeks and then it will be a step closer to putting on the pads in August. They have time to take in the information. That’s why there’s plenty of value for summer ball. It’s also something good for the guys who were on the junior varsity team last season.”

About 40 players were on the field during the summer for Hoover, which finished 2-8, 1-6 in the Pacific League last season for seventh place in the eight-team league. It’s about the same number that broke workouts last summer.

There’s been plenty of time for Hoover to work on things leading up to its season-opening contest against Hacienda Heights Wilson at 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Glendale High’s Moyse Field.

Focusing on each detail taught by Andersen will be crucial for the Tornadoes, who ran their spring ball session throughout most of April and May.

“Things have been going well thus far,” said Andersen, an art teacher at Toll Middle School. “I’ve known the group we’ve had since they were at Toll and a lot of them played flag football for me then.

“So, it’s good to be able to know everybody and they know me and what I expect from each of them. They know what my assistants and I are trying to teach and they are buying into things. They know the offense and defense we have installed.”

Many players understand what Andersen and his assistants are trying to get across.

“The one thing we have talked about a lot with them is accountability,” Andersen said. “It’s about being disciplined and smart.

“There’s a chance for many of the players to battle for a starting job and they want to make good impressions. It’s basically a fresh start for everybody.”

Hoover’s James Tumbucon, a senior lineman, said the summer sessions serve an important purpose.

“It’s really important because you can practice all of the different drills and it brings team unity because these are the people you are with for a large part of the year,” said Tumbucon, who will begin his second varsity season. “It’s my last year of playing football, so I want to be prepared to go out there and play hard on every down.

“I remember after my freshman season, I went on a family vacation. I haven’t missed a camp since. You are always out there learning something new, so that’s key.”

Angelo Clarizio, a senior full back/linebacker, will also start his second season on the varsity stage.

“I’m doing everything I can to soak up what they are teaching,” Clarizio said. “Even after practice, I like to run a little more and then lift weights because it’s about being determined and accountable.

“Summer ball is similar to a practice in the regular season. You find out about what you are doing well and what else you need to continue working on to get better. I’ve been playing football since sixth grade and I can see myself getting better.”