Banning Broncos Hope to be Sharp in Football Season Opener

Banning High Football Coach Scott McRitchie has had a hard time judging the progress of his team the last few weeks.

At times the Broncos have looked sharp in practice.

At other times the inexperienced group has struggled.

McRitchie hopes the sharp version shows up for Friday’s season opener against Bloomington.

“Some days, even on the same day, the team looks like it is really coming along,” McRitchie said. “Then, just minutes later, you get the absolute opposite feeling. It’s been that type of thing.”

Preparing for a season opener is tough enough. On top of that the Broncos will be making their official debut on the school’s new
multi-million dollar football field – complete with an electronic scoreboard, synthetic field, media box and announcer’s booth, locker rooms for home and the visitors and concession outlets.

For years the Broncos practiced and played their home games at nearby Nicolet Field. The team was bused from the school to the
field, suited up in an old storage bin and practiced and played on worn-out field.

“How much worse it could be this year if we still had to go up to Nicolet?” McRitchie asked. “Just getting there was a huge deal. And when we got there varied.”

It has been a smooth transition.

"It’s surprising how fast people get used to things,” McRitchie said. “You drive an old clunker for 10 years. Then you get a new car, enjoy it for a few days, and then it gets to be old hat and you get used to it.”

This is actually the second time McRitchie has broken in a new football facility. He did so while coach at West Valley.

“I’m in a great position,” McRitchie said. “I went through one year and got the facility. There are a lot of guys who put up with a lot of stuff with no real light at the end of the tunnel.”

On Friday, however, the team’s new field will be the least if its problems. Bloomington is a larger school and traditionally a tough opponent. Last week the Bruins started off strong but caved in during the late going of a 23-21 loss to Chaffey.

The Bruins threw the ball just nine times and rushed for 251 yards on 41 carries. Devon Samuels led the way with 103 yards on 12 carries.

The Bruins also converted on two 2-point conversions.

“They are a larger school, have athletic guys and have a game on us,” McRitchie said. “But we managed to find in ourselves in that game last year. We are certainly further along and a better football team than we were at that that time last year.”

Banning will be going with sophomore quarterback James Madison and a trio of experienced linemen – Tong Yang, Dirk Busing and Hutchinson Yang each started all 10 games last year.

“Hopefully we don’t have to dictate what we do,” McRitchie said. “We want to take advantage of what they give us. Hopefully we are strong enough in both areas, passing and running the ball, that we can keep
them off balance.”

Beaumont plays at Cathedral City

The Cougars (0-1) look to rebound from last week’s season-opening loss in the closing seconds, 17-16, to Valley View.

Beaumont handed the host Lions a 62-7 defeat last
season.

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

Bloomington at Banning HS

Where: Banning High School, 100 W. Westward in Banning

Kick off: 7 p.m.

Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for children 12 and under, free for students with A.S.B. card

Beaumont at Cathedral City HS

Where: Cathedral City High School, 69-250 Dinah Shore

Kickoff: 7 p.m.

Admission: $7 for adults, $4 for grades 1-8, $4 for students with a Paw Print