Clippers trying extra session

By Joe Scalzo | August 2, 2009 at 12:09a.m.

Blitz 2009 HS Football Preview

Robor Todor and Joe Scalzo from The Vindicator's Sports Department take a look at the 2009 High School football season.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has added a Jamboree this summer, but not everyone is joining the party.

The organization passed two major football rule changes in the offseason, lengthening the number of two-a-day practices teams can hold, as well as giving teams the option to hold a third scrimmage — aka a “Jamboree” game.

Jamborees are similar to regular-season games, with teams playing four quarters with the option to charge admission. They must pay a $250 application fee to cover insurance costs.

Most area teams seem to be sticking to the two-scrimmage format — particularly teams with playoff hopes and/or veteran squads — but some, like Columbiana, are looking to take advantage of the extra competition.

The Clippers are young at the skill positions and need all the experience they can get.

“We have a lot of unanswered questions,” said Clippers coach Bob Spaite, who likes the new format but called the $250 fee “a bunch of baloney.

“We can go against ourselves forever but that’s not going to answer [the questions].”

Spaite said he plans to use the first scrimmage — on Aug. 11 at Western Reserve — to help his younger players gain experience.

“Every year, I always spend too much time with our varsity during the two scrimmages,” Spaite said. “So in that first one, they’re not going to see many snaps. We’re going to use that time to find out a whole lot about our young kids.

“That’s tough to do, unless you’re going against someone else.”

Teams can choose their scrimmage options.

Schools planning to participate in three preseason contests have two choices

UOne scrimmage (two halves), one preview (two quarters, can charge admission) and one Jamboree game.

UTwo scrimmages and one Jamboree game.

Teams planning two preseason contests have four choices:

UOne scrimmage and one Jamboree game.

UOne preview and one Jamboree game.

UTwo scrimmages.

UOne scrimmage and one preview.

Cardinal Mooney, which has played more playoff games than any area school, is sticking with the two-contest format.

The Cardinals return 15 players who started at some point last season and expect to advance deep in the postseason, even after jumping from Division IV to Division III this fall.

“We never considered three [contests],” said Fecko, whose team lost in the regional semifinals last year after advancing to four straight state finals. “We’re comfortable with two. It’s a long, grueling season and the two scrimmages have worked thus far.

“Jamming a third one in there isn’t something we’re particularly crazy about. We’ve been fortunate enough to go past 10 games the past few years and that creates a long-enough season.”

The expanded two-a-day format makes the season even more grueling. Two-a-day practices start on Monday instead of Thursday, giving teams three weeks of doubles.

That’s a lot of wear and tear, particularly for smaller schools that can’t afford to lose any players to injury — least of all in August.

Girard coach Bud McSuley, who has a lot of returning talent but doesn’t have a huge roster, said most coaches will try to strike a balance between using the extra time and giving their kids a break.

“Teams that have 100 guys, they can do that,” he said, referring to two-a-day practice for the full three weeks. “But the guys who have 35-40-45 kids, it’s tough to beat them up for three weeks.

“You’ve got to be smart.”

scalzo@vindy.com