UPPER LAKE >> The school year ended at Upper Lake a little more than two weeks ago, but for the Cougars’ football program, that’s enough down time.
Voluntary workouts took place at the Northshore school earlier this week as Upper Lake makes its first inroads toward a new season. About to embark on its fourth year of eight-man football, the Cougars will most assuredly have a new look next season because of graduation losses. Gone is the big line Upper Lake ran out onto the field a year ago.
“We’ll be smaller up front but we’ll have a lot of speed,” coach Mike Smith said.
Football players at all of the county’s schools are gearing up for the new season. Passing league on Monday nights in July opens in just a few weeks. The first official day of practice for 2018 is earlier than it has ever been before – July 30 – and games also start earlier this year – the weekend of Aug. 15. The regular season ends in late October, not early or mid-November as in past seasons.
Upper Lake finished 4-1 in the Coastal Mountain Conference North last season and 6-2 overall. The Cougars’ season ended with a 46-20 loss to South Fork in the CMC North championship game played at Upper Lake. South Fork went on to beat Rincon Valley Christian for the overall CMC championship.
Though the Cougars lost several key players to graduation, including Jacob Kalawaia, Dante Bassignani, Kahlil George, Andrew Brackett and Colton Goetjen, they return several key players. Among them are quarterback Ray Moran, running back Chris Fecht and receiver Hank Nevarez.
Upper Lake’s 2018 season opener is Aug. 25 against Virginia City in Virginia City, Neveada. The Cougars’ home opener is Sept. 7 against Calistoga and their league opener is Sept. 28 at South Fork.
Upper Lake has a maximum 10 regular-season games scheduled this season. In chronological order, those games are Aug. 25 at Virigina City, Aug. 31 at Potter Valley, Sept. 7 against Calistoga, Sept. 14 against Stuart Hall, Sept. 22 at Rincon Valley Christian, Sept. 28 at South Fork, Oct. 5 against Laytonville, Oct. 12 against Point Arena, Oct. 19 at Round Valley, and Oct. 26 against Anderson Valley. Playoffs follow in November.
