Preparation is key to peak performance

Inevitably, as summer turns to fall and baseballs are replaced by footballs, the first game of the season always has its share of players who suffer from various leg cramps.

Some of it has to do with athletes who are not quite in game shape. There is also the fact that after practicing during the day and playing at night, the muscles cool down quicker, leaving the players more suspectible to cramps.

But the biggest culprit is a lack of hydration.

"For the most part, they don't get enough water in them," said Addie Bonilla, Burlingame's athletic trainer the past eight years. "They don't get enough water during the week. A lot of kids think they can have a bottle of water and a banana the day before a game and be fine."

Bonilla said players need to drink lots of water during the week to prepare for Friday and Saturday games. She also said to avoid large amounts of soda and energy drinks such as Red Bull. Sodas and energy drinks are full of sugar and caffeine, which deplete the body's fluids - both through sweat and urination.

Bonilla also said the use of underwear such as tights or Body Armor can also lead to cramps.

The thrill of Opening Day (or Night) can also play a role. With the adrenaline flowing, players are jumping around trying to get pumped up for a game. They start sweating a lot earlier and by the time the third and fourth quarters roll around, they have no energy or fluids left.

"Especially the younger guys," Bonilla said. "They get so excited. If you expel all your energy, you'll be done."

Night games are problematic because the muscles cool down quicker and players don't drink as much water as they would during an afternoon game, Bonilla said.

"A lot of guys aren't used to playing night games," Bonilla said. "They're not as thirsty and they don't drink as much."

Once cramps set in, it's too late to do much. Depending on the extent of the cramp, trainers can work the muscle to loosen it up, but there's no guarantee that the cramps won't come back. And no matter how much water is drunk at this time, it's a little too late.

"You always see water getting shoved down their throats," Bonilla said. "It's not a quick fix."

***

Huge props to Hillsdale quarterback Wes Price.

As the team's starting signal-caller, Price is the leader on the field. After the Knights' disappointing 14-13 loss to Harker on Saturday, Price is the unquestioned leader off the field as well.

Following Hillsdale's last-second loss, Knights' coach Jeff Scheller was too despondent to comment. The Lounge searched out Price who politely answered questions posed to him by two reporters.

Price was understandably upset, but took the time to be the spokesman for his team.

It's easy to talk to the media when things go well for a team. At that point, everyone is willing to dissect the game. But it takes a big person to comment about a team's performance following a heart-breaking loss.

Price had just one request, however.

"Could you not use, 'The Price is right' headline anymore?"

Hey Wes, the Lounge has never used that line. It actually never occurred to me. But at your request, the Lounge never will.

***

There was a decidedly Peninsula flavor on the Harker of San Jose sideline.

Former Capuchino coach, Jeff Kalb, who was relieved of his duties just before the start of summer practice, is back in the coaching as an assistant with Eagles.

His boss? Former Mills and Menlo School head coach Fred Barnes.

***

The funniest moment of the first full weekend of high school football came during Woodside's 28-13 win over Carlmont Friday night.

Following a Wildcats' touchdown, a Woodside assistant coach lobbied the official to watch for holding on a particular Carlmont player.

The official responded, "In white? I'll also watch number 78 in black because he could be called for holding on every play."

At which point one of the Woodside frosh-soph coaches replied, "Oh, we know. But we don't want you calling holding on our guy."

***

Top football performances from the first full week of the season:

Woodside RB Tyreece Jacks - the senior was held in check for most of the game against Carlmont before getting loose in the fourth quarter. He had touchdown runs of 86 and 19 in the fourth quarter to finish with 183 yards on 18 carries in the Wildcats' 28-13 win.

Burlingame RB Gabe Weisbarth - only a junior, Weisbarth picked up the slack for an injured Ryan Gilbert by rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He also had two catches for another 48 yards in the Panthers' 35-6 win over Palo Alto.

Burlingame QB Drew Shiller - the senior in his third year as a starter completed 13 of 19 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown.

Sequioa WR Kyle Perry - Sequoia may have found their go-to player in Perry who had seven catches for 104 yards in the Cherokees' 14-3 loss to Prospect.

San Mateo QB C.J. Easter - making his first start at quarterback, Easter completed 15 of 32 yards for 229 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a third in the Bearcats' 42-28 loss to Mountain View.

Aragon RB Dominic Williams - the junior was one of a few bright spots, rushing for 128 yards on two touchdowns on 18 carries in the Dons' 41-14 loss to Los Gatos.

Hillsdale DL Shelby Knops - had two sacks and several other QB pressures in the Knights' 14-13 loss to Harker.