Sobrato quarterback Steve Sorce takes a snap from center Joel Rueda during scrimmage at this week's three-day Competitive Edge Football Camp at Leland High School.
Sobrato was working hard this week while battling triple-digit weather. The Bulldogs attended camp alongside seven other schools, including five from the Blossom Valley Athletic League.
During Tuesday's session of this week's Competitive Edge Football Camp at sizzling Leland High School, camp director Mike Carrozzo made a comical announcement that summed up the afternoon.
"Great news gentlemen," he said through a bullhorn. "The Gatorade just got delivered. Get 'em while they're hot!"
For the eight teams in attendance, it was supposed to be three days of fun in the sun - padding up for the first time and trading hits with schools that share the same area code. That outlook changed for the Sobrato Bulldogs after their first day.
Triple-digit weather has a way of doing that.
"We were dying," Sobrato senior Tony Zizzo joked. "We were all excited to get out here and start hitting, but once we felt the heat we were thinking, 'whoa, maybe this won't be so fun.'"
As the afternoon temperature eclipsed 100 degrees for Tuesday's second day of practice - 105 degrees under the helmet - a peculiar thing happened to the dogged Bulldogs. They got stronger.
It was seen during a intra-Blossom Valley Athletic League scrimmage with Leland, when Sobrato's offense and defense gathered pace with each snap. Starting wideout Alex Meldrum, who will likely be the fastest kid on the field during any play this year, turned a seven-yard pass from Steve Sorce into a 30-yard touchdown connection; linebacker Michael McChesney was in on just about every defensive stop, and tailbacks Tim Cavanaugh and Zizzo broke lose for scoring runs of 20 yards or more.
The 'A' Division Chargers held the upper hand at first, but the 'B' Division Bulldogs were even keel by the end.
"We played a lot better today," Sobrato first-year coach Nick Borello said. "Yesterday was rough. Guys needed to be subbed out almost every play. Today was a different story. We're getting better as a team - that's the whole point of going to full-contact camps like this. We want to get better and stay healthy."
Competitive Edge is one of the most popular camps in California. Each of its eight sessions focuses on team building while providing a game-like setting for players and coaches. Sobrato and Leland attended this week's session alongside Carlmont, Washington of Fremont and BVAL schools Santa Teresa, Pioneer, Independence and San Jose.
"We could face a number of these teams this year, so that definitely makes this camp more exciting," Borello said. "The guys are lining up against kids they'll see in the regular season and possibly the playoffs. It's giving us a taste of what's ahead."
Carrozzo felt the harsh weather added to the experience.
"You've got to get used it," said Carrozzo, who's head coach at Leland. "The kids are still having a lot of fun. We make sure not to push them too hard, but the weather is something they'll have to work through in the early season."
Borello's Bulldogs shared that outlook, noting their proximity to both two-a-days and Sept. 5 - the day they square off against cross-town rival Live Oak.
"You don't even have to remind us about that," Zizzo said. "That's not the only game we're preparing for. It's a long season, and you have to be in the best shape possible. We're doing that here."
Under the intense sunlight, Sobrato's skill players shimmered. Borello took note of his linebackers and defensive backs, who looked sharp during tackling drills.
"Our skill guys are looking impressive," he said. "I usually don't point out individuals, but as a unit our backs on offense and defense are really stepping up. We're expecting a lot from them this season. They're going to lead this team."
Sobrato's new fly offense showed continued progress. Sorce and Zizzo, two of its biggest components, were named to the exclusive Big Camp Stud list along with 12 other players.
Sorce, who's battling for the starting job under center, said the offensive is "on the same page."
"There's definitely room for improvement, but it's coming together," he said. "The line's getting better. We'll be ready for Week Zero."
Scott J. Adams Scott J. Adams covers Morgan Hill sports for South Valley Newspapers. Send him an email or call him at 779-4106.
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