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Bulldog, Hawk athletes begin summer conditioning
Isaiah Hidalgo training
Isaiah Hidalgo and the members of Central Valley High School’s football program attended summer conditioning workouts last week on campus. - photo by Dale Butler

Student-athletes from Ceres High and Central Valley started summer conditioning workouts last week with COVID-19 restrictions.

They had to follow physical activity/training guidelines released by the California Interscholastic Federation. The CIF governs high school athletics in the state.

Physical examination waivers had to be completed prior to participating.

Temperatures were taken.

Locker rooms remained closed.

Conditioning and skill-based drills had to be staged outdoors.

Sports-specific equipment was not allowed.

Athletes brought their own water bottles.

Social distancing was practiced as no more than 25 athletes could receive instruction from one coach.

“We’re trying to get as much done as we can with the restrictions we have."
Coach Derrick Goblirsch

“We’re trying to get as much done as we can with the restrictions we have,” said Derrick Goblirsch, new head coach of Central Valley’s football program.

“It’s great to be back,” Hawks’ senior offensive lineman Miguel Alvarado said. “It’s a little different from what we’re used to. But rules are rules.”

“Anybody that had a temperature of 100.4 or higher was asked to stay home,” said Clinton Goblirsch, first-year head coach of Ceres High’s football team and Derrick’s older brother.

“We have restrictions but we’re still putting in work,” Bulldogs’ junior receiver/defensive back Verlis Smith said. 

Ceres High football players trained, from 6-8 a.m., Monday through Thursday.

“You could tell the kids were excited to get on field,” Clinton Goblirsch said. “We had Zoom conference meetings twice a week leading up to this.”

Central Valley football players conditioned later in the day, from 6-7 p.m.

“Being a new head coach, it’s important we have facetime,” Derrick Goblirsch said. “There was definitely good energy all week.”

“Everyone is working hard,” senior running back Isaiah Hidalgo said. “Everybody is focused on one goal which is getting better every day.”

“We love being out here,” senior safety Angel Vega said. “Nobody is complaining.”

The CIF will decide on July 20 if fall sports will continue as currently scheduled or if adjustments will be made.

“We continue to keep watch on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation,” CIF officials stated in a June 22 press release. “We want high school sports to return in a safe way. Our schools and school districts, in consultation with county and state health authorities will be making the decision when to start practices and sporting events. Once schools begin, we will be able to provide a calendar. At the moment, we are anticipating a normal start to the fall calendar. It is our intent to provide all three seasons of sport for our member schools for the 2020-21 school year.”

The fall sports lineup includes: football, cross country, water polo, girls golf, girls tennis and girls volleyball.

The CIF’s 201 member schools compete in 26 different leagues.

Amari Padilla
Hawk football player Amari Padilla shows off his footwork during ladder drills on June 16 at Central Valley High School. - photo by Dale Butler