PREP FOOTBALL: Teams hit practice fields

JOE SUNNEN

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Ferndale quarterback Casey Locker dropped back to pass late in the Golden Eagles' first practice of the season on Wednesday, Aug. 20, zipped the football into the awaiting hands of a receiver, then watched as the ball tumbled to the grass in a soggy heap.

Even when the ball is being thrown by the reigning most valuable player of the Northwest Conference, it can still be a little tough to catch in heavy rain.

"The weather kind of put a damper on things today," Locker said. "It was tough to throw out here, it was wet, but we have a lot more practices to go. It's just the beginning."

High school football practice
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High schools across Whatcom County and the state of Washington officially marked the start of the 2008 football season on Wednesday, hitting the practice field for the first time in preparation for this year's opening games on Sept. 5.

Some schools, like Lynden, got an early start, getting on the field at 8 a.m. as part of their two-a-day practice schedule. The Lions, who are looking to make a trip back to the state playoffs, moved briskly through practice and wrapped up the morning session with its first- and second-team offenses running plays against the defense.

"Potentially we have a good group this year," Lynden coach Curt Kramme said. "But until you get out there under the lights on Friday night, you just never know."

Ferndale and Bellingham are two more schools from the NWC that would like to return to the state playoffs. Both skipped practicing in the morning, preferring instead to brave the wet weather later in the afternoon.

"It's nice just to get done with the paperwork and get out for the first day and kind of see what you have," Ferndale coach Jamie Plenkovich said. "We know that we're going to start a routine now and see these guys every day. In some respects you're just happy to get through the practice plan on the first day. The weather was a challenge for us, but I think the kids responded pretty well."

The Red Raiders started practice at noon and finished around 5 p.m. Bellingham's coaches used the time to mix in weight training, individual position training and an hour of full-team time at the end. The non-traditional practice schedule allowed Bellingham coach Doug Trainor to work with each position group throughout the day.

"We'll end up having an hour of team time together," Trainor said. "But the rest of the time I felt like I wanted to raise the bar across the board. I want them to know exactly what I want. It might only last for ten days before we go to a more normal schedule, but I wanted to have my hands on every aspect of what we do."

Teams work out in only helmets for the first few days before moving to full pads on either Saturday or early next week, depending on the number of practices a team has completed.

The other fall sports teams are scheduled to hold their first practices of the season on Monday, Aug. 25.

"It's time to start getting after it again," Lynden senior David Gaylord said. "The summer's pretty much over. Football season is here."

Reach Joe Sunnen at joe.sunnen@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2862.