Preps begin preparation

Mike Sciacca

The first football rifled through the air at Ocean View High Monday,

not to mention the first hit.

It was the same that day at Huntington Beach and Marina, too.

The day marked the official start of preseason practice for the

three local schools, who went through their paces and took their

first steps in preparation for the 2004 prep football season.

Edison got a jump on its Huntington Beach brethren by beginning

preseason practice on Aug. 19. That’s because the Chargers open the

season a week earlier than the other locals, with a Sept. 3 game

against Servite at Glover Stadium in Anaheim.

“It should be a great game and a great way to open up the season,”

Edison Coach Dave White said. “We’re looking forward to that

matchup.”

The Ocean View players were getting pumped for the upcoming season

with a weight training session Monday morning, then it was out to

practice.

Joe Stillinger, a junior wide receiver for Ocean View, went

through the early morning paces in the weight room, but was anxious

to get out on the practice field.

“We’ve been working really hard in the off-season, and now I’m

ready to go out and lay a hit on somebody,” he said. “The whole team

is ready to go.”

Ocean View will begin its second season playing games under the

lights at Seahawks Stadium. New lights were installed at Ocean View’s

campus stadium before the 2003 season, giving the Seahawks their

first true home field.

“That seems so long ago,” Ocean View Coach Harold Eggers said.

“It’s a new season and we’re ready to start.”

Huntington Beach and Marina joined Ocean View in holding the start

of preseason practice Monday.

Marina will open its season on Sept. 9 by hosting Capistrano

Valley at 7 p.m. at Westminster High’s Boswell Field.

Ocean View will open its slate on Sept. 10 by playing host to

Garden Grove Santiago at 7 p.m.

Huntington Beach will open its season Sept. 10 with a 7 p.m. home

game against Los Amigos.