The California Pintos football team is getting ready for the upcoming Jamboree Aug. 23 at California High School and for the upcoming regular season.
New head coach Derek Scroggins said the team is trying to take a step each week.
"We saw them in camp a couple of weeks ago, and we were pretty impressed there, and so we are just going to try to take a step each week," Scroggins said.
California is coming off a tough year last season, when the team finished with a record of 0-10. Scroggins said the team doesn't plan to focus on what has happened in the past, however.
"We have put a big focus on controlling the things we can control - which is our attitude and effort - and the kids have done a great job and have stepped up to expectations and their focus and work ethic have been outstanding," Scroggins said.
Scroggins said the community support for the team has been tremendous, along with the team's positive attitudes collectively.
"(The players) are a great group of people to be around every day, and they have made it a fun environment where everyone is working hard for a collective goal," Scroggins said.
There are a couple of players who might break out this year, he said.
"One of the kids that really stood out at the Evangel camp was Bryant Davis as quarterback and linebacker. He had a really good camp and had some of the Evangel coaches talking to him," Scroggins said. "Another kid was sophomore Trevor Myers, who did a great job as a defensive end and was really explosive and impressive there as well. But really I was impressed with how all of our kids played. Everyone went hard, everyone was hard nosed, and the heat did not seem to bother them, and they seemed to be in pretty good shape."
Scroggins said he was encouraged by how aggressive the team has been.
"They don't shy away from contact," Scroggins said. "It is one of those things that as they continue getting stronger and faster they are going to gain some more confidence and they are going to continue with their same level of aggressiveness, so we should end up being a pretty hard nose team."
California football schedule
Friday - Media Night at California, 10 p.m. (scrimmage starting at 12:01 a.m.)
Aug. 23 - Jamboree at California, 7 p.m.
Aug. 30 - vs Lighthouse Christian Academy Home School Assn, 7 p.m.
Sept. 6 - at Mexico, 7 p.m.
Sept 13 - at School of the Osage, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 - vs Boonville, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27 - vs Versailles, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4 - at Eldon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 - vs Hallsville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 - vs Southern Boone, 7 p.m.
Oct. 25 - at Blair Oaks, 7 p.m.