Clear skies. Low 68F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph..

Clear skies. Low 68F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.

It was early August and I set out to visit football stadiums and take photos.

I cross the wash in my Corolla. Bruce Springsteen is with me.

I arrive at Beaumont High’s Don Smith Field. Rap music thumps.

“I’m just another Black man caught up in the mix,” Tupac Shakur sings. “Trying to make a dollar out of 15 cents.”

Defensive linemen tangle at one end.

“Why do you want to go straight into a block?” D-line coach Glenn Ludwig asks a behemoth.

I spot assistant coach Jamie Ramirez on the sideline. I wrote last year about his dad’s exploits. In 1961 “Big Lou” Ramirez scored the game-winning touchdown to lead Redlands High to the section title.  

“How’s it going?” I say.

“Pretty good,” Jamie says. “Tomorrow is our Blue and White scrimmage. These guys are itching to get to it. They’ve played so much 7-on-7.”

I head up Yucaipa Boulevard toward Yucaipa High. Springsteen sings “Sandy.” Cars stream into Dutch Bros. Coffee.    

No music pours out of speakers at YHS. The T-Birds are all business.  

Coaches in wide-brimmed sun hats preside. Linemen battle 2-on-1.   

“Drive, drive, drive!” assistant coach Ben Barnes says. “Step in and get low.”  

I wander up the sideline. A quarterback airs it out.   

“Eyes on me!” a bearded assistant says. He signals in a play.  

A receiver hauls in the pass and I snap a photo.  

“Everybody scrimmages tomorrow – all three teams,” running backs coach Brian Leboeuf says. “We’ll split up the teams and it’s Blue vs. White.”   

The Corolla motors through North Redlands. Youth football players vie at Texonia Park. They are future Blackhawks. Or Wildcats. Or Terriers.  

I arrive at Robert J. Hodges Stadium, home of the Citrus Valley High Blackhawks.  

“No archery, gum, cricket, firearms, barbecues, etc.” a stadium sign says. Fortunately, I left my crossbow and Weber in the car.   

The team runs plays. Star player Brock Lium rolled his ankle and sits out. But defender Jelani McLaughlin, just committed to San Diego State, does his thing.     

I run into Carl Martinez, who describes himself as a “PR guy” for the team.

His son Devin was a Blackhawk baseball star.    

We talk baseball, and he reminisces about his alma mater, Pacific High. I muse about former Pirate coach Chuck Pettersen and his polyester coaching shorts.  

I want to yuk it up with coach Kurt Bruich but there isn’t a break. Then a light rain falls — my cue to leave. My camera   isn’t waterproof.   

John Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@redlandscommunitynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PrepDawg2.  

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.