Don Ketchum
Former Staff Writer, AZPreps365.com

Covering football scrimmages becoming rage of new age

August 11, 2011 by Don Ketchum, AZPreps365


Here are a few observations that didn’t really fit into my story about Wednesday night’s (Aug. 10) football scrimmage between Scottsdale Chaparral and Desert Vista . . . I hope to do more of this as the season progresses . . .

*Yes, the day has come when we cover scrimmages instead of waiting for the start of the season. People want to gain as much information as they can, and that includes high school sports.

*Desert Vista seemed as though its roster is bigger this year. That is true, according to the equipment man. The squad of 70 is the biggest the school has had.

“We hope we have enough game jerseys. And the locker room is a bit tight (space). But that’s a good problem to have,’’ said coach Dan Hinds.

*I covered the Cardinals not long after they moved to Arizona, and enjoyed watching Rich Camarillo, a punter for the Cardinals and a handful of other teams. That indeed was Rich walking up and down the sideline on Wednesday night. His son, Eric, is a senior punter for Desert Vista. Here’s hoping he can boom ’em, too.

*Chaparral's Malcolm Thomas, listed at 5-foot-6 and 150 pounds, has a hustling playing style that will allow the sophomore to become a favorite among Firebirds fans.

*Shimmy with the “Jimmys.’’ After the scrimmage, the Desert Vista players gathered in a big circle to honor former assistant coach Jimmy Williams, who died of a heart attack in 1999. Williams was a star at Tempe High and Arizona State. The players do jumping jacks and spell Williams’ name: J-I-M-M-Y W-I-L-L-I-A-M-S.

This is a great for maintaining school tradition/spirit, especially since most of the current players were only 4 or 5 years old when Williams coached there.

*The Voice. I certainly won’t be mistaken for Cee Lo Green, but I know a great voice when I hear one.

Memo to the young lady who was a member of the crew that distributed water to Desert Vista players: I overheard you singing before the game. Wow. You should consider it as a career.