Towards the end of school year, juniors Tarius Allen, Tommy Karageorge and sophomore Jose Ayala hit the weight room after school. Usually coaches begin preseason training three months prior to the season kick off. Preseason training includes a variety of workouts. Players are required to lift, bench press, squat and powerlift. This affects players by enhancing strength and conditioning. Along with physical preparation comes mental preparation. Allen, a linebacker, takes advantage of this opportunity to improve bonds within the team.

¨[Preseason training includes] a lot of physical and mental [preparation] which includes team bonding,¨ Allen said. ¨[We also take part in] events [such as] seven on seven which helps build up the brotherhood for next season.¨

Seven on seven is a tournament between schools in the valley. Different from a normal football game, teams put on their best seven defensive or offensive players and battle it out. All three players believe that this tournament helps them improve before the season starts. Sophomore Ayala, current linebacker, hungers for an outcome from the work he is putting in.

“[I just want] to get better as a football player and bond with my teammates before the season. [Let’s go] undefeated, 10-0,¨ Ayala said.

Allen and Karageorge are working harder to prepare for their senior season in the fall of 2018. Karageorge, an offensive lineman, is participating in preseason training because of his desire to play at the collegiate level.

“I joined preseason training because this past summer, it hit me that I [desire] to play college ball. I have to work my [butt] off,” Karageorge said.

Karageorge hopes for rejuvenation in the fall, along with opportunities of possible recruitments from Division 1 schools.

“My coach doesn’t realize it just yet but when that season opener comes around, people are going to see the new me,¨ Karageorge says. “I’m just [ready] for next season. I’m ready to crack some skulls.”