Upper Lake High School varsity football coach Vince Moran looks on during Thursday’s practice as the Cougars, defending North Central League III champions, gear up for a new season in a new league, the revamped NCL II. It’s part of a big first step for the Upper Lake program, which moves up into the NCL I the following season (2023). The Cougars opened practice for the 2022 campaign on Monday. They’ll see their first live action Aug. 19 at a scrimmage hosted by Roseland University Prep in Santa Rosa. Upper Lake was originally scheduled to open its regular season Aug. 26 against Maxwell, but that game has been canceled. Upper Lake has a bye on Sept. 2 and is home Sept. 9 to play Roseland Univeristy Prep in non-league action. (Photos by Brian Sumpter)
