Football teams don’t mind practicing on the holiday
The Skyview Storm could see the flag football game on the other side of the fence.
It was a Turkey Bowl game, and it looked like a lot of fun.
The Storm, though, were working hard, going through drill after drill, full speed and in the pouring rain.
And you know what? The Skyview players were having more fun than those weekend warriors reliving their glory days. The Skyview players are living their dream right now.
Thanksgiving Day practice is special for a high school football player. In Washington, it means being on one of the state’s final four teams.
Thursday, two Vancouver schools practiced on the holiday. For the second year in a row, the Union Titans celebrated the holiday with a practice at Camas High School. And over at Kiggins Bowl, the Skyview Storm practiced for the first time this late in the season.
“We were hoping for it. We set the goal to be here,” Skyview center Tom Zink said. “Not sure if we knew for sure, but we definitely wanted to be here. It’s a dream come true.”
Skyview (10-2) will take on Ferris (9-3) at 1 p.m. Saturday in Spokane in the 4A semifinals.
Receiver Karl Graves remembers playing in a pick-up game last Thanksgiving. It was fun, but the experience was nothing compared to practice Thursday with the Storm.
“I want to take advantage of this opportunity and hopefully be practicing next week at this time, too,” he said.
Football is so much more than wins and losses. It’s also the togetherness, Zink added.
“It’s great to be out here with all the guys. We’re still having fun,” he said. “This is probably the best thing that’s happened to me in a while.”
This is Skyview’s first trip to the semifinals, and it is Steve Kizer’s first Thanksgiving practice as a head coach.
“This is something to be thankful for, for all the coaches, the players, the families,” he said.
The team practiced Wednesday, then had a film session. Kizer said that would not happen Thursday.
“They have specific orders to go home and spend time with their families and eat,” Kizer said. “Do the Thanksgiving thing with the family.”
A Thanksgiving workout is nothing new to Union. The Titans made it to the 3A state championship game last year. Pretty much every player on the team figured to be busy with football again this year at this time.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Union quarterback Brandon Weller said.
Union (11-1) plays Bellevue (10-2) at 7 tonight in the Tacoma Dome in the 3A semifinals. That schedule meant the last full practice before the game was Thursday.
“It’s a great feeling to practice on Thanksgiving Day,” running back Nathaniel Penaranda said. “Not too many teams get to do it.”
The Titans, like the Storm, will celebrate the holiday with family, too.
“I have plans after this,” Weller said. “I’m going to Grandma’s house. Our plans are just delayed a little bit.”
