The BVH Barons played in a scrimmage against the Olympian Eagles, Otay Ranch Mustangs, Hilltop Lancers and Sweetwater Red Devils on April 19.
This was the Barons’ first chance to compete against a multitude of South Bay teams during the preseason. Despite it being early in the year, BVH came out strong, finishing with a 2–1 record in matches against the Lancers, Eagles and Mustangs during the scrimmage. Sophomore wide receiver and safety Emiliano Ituarte explained how the team was more ready than they ever were before.
“We felt ready. We had a lot of preparation going into these scrimmages. We have been working since January, [which is] earlier this year compared to previous years along with good coaching,” Ituarte said.
The Barons squared off against the Mustangs, setting the tone early with a strong and energetic performance. Following that matchup, they faced the Eagles, where they continued to build momentum and evaluate their execution on both sides of the ball. To wrap up the day, the Barons took on the Lancers where unfortunately they suffered their only loss of the scrimmage.
“Right now, we are playing great football, dominating on both sides of the ball. But it does not mean anything if we do not keep working, stay in the lab, keep grinding in the weight room and show up mentally ready every single week,” coach Diante Lee said.
Regardless, players such as Ituarte felt that he and other players on the team felt they had played their best. However, given that the team is off-season, Ituarte claims how team spirit is one of the main factors that must be improved by next year.
“The biggest thing is chemistry. It has been improving but it is obviously something we have to work on. But the chemistry that we have as a team is pretty good, and if we have that chemistry together, at 100%, then we cannot really have a great team.”
The scrimmage gave the Barons an opportunity to test their lineup once again to build team chemistry and prepare for the upcoming regular season.
“Obviously we have not been the best these last couple of years, but this year, we are going to improve, because we are serious about being that team,” Ituarte said.
