CALIFORNIA, Mo. - Competing will be a big focus point for the California Pintos' football team this season. Head coach Mikel Gragg, who is in his first season at the helm for the Pintos, wants his team to compete, no matter the score.
"I just want us to compete, I don't want us to hang our heads at any point in the game," Gragg said. "I want us to come in and compete all four quarters and show what we can do. It doesn't matter if the other team has a really good play, the game is not over we are still here and there are four quarters to play. Don't ever get to low or don't ever get to high, play the game and compete the whole time through."
The first game of the season for the Pintos is tonight against the Monett Cubs, the defending class 3 state champions. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Riley Field.
Gragg said it is a big game for California.
"For us it's a really big game," Gragg said. "It is a test right off the bat for use, for us it will set the tone of where we are at and where we need to grow."
The Pintos also have big games against Mexico and Blair Oaks later this season. The Pintos play Mexico in their other nonconference game next Friday.
Gragg thinks having two tough games at the start of the season is a good way to judge his team's toughness.
"It will definitely give us a good evaluation point to see where we are at and where we need to improve and use those areas going forward," Gragg said.
The Pintos plan on being an aggressive team on both offense and defense this season.
"It will definitely be an aggressive, in-your-face style," Gragg said.
While being aggressive, the Pintos are looking to have the advantage of time of position against their opponents this year. The defense is going to play a big role in how well the team plays this year. Gragg said the defense, especially the linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties, are the strength of the team.
Offensively, the team is going to use their running game to open up the field and make plays.
Regardless of how the season goes, Gragg said the coaches are going to keep teaching the players the same message throughout the year.
"We preach the same thing each and every day, we come out here to take care of the football, fly around and have fun, and when we get to the football on defense to be mean when we get there," Gragg said. "It's not going to change from day one to the last day of the season we are going to hit the same stuff and keep pounding it in so that our kids now that this is what we expect."