Meet the Lancers Event Kicks-Off Season
Aug 17, 2017 12:00AM ● By By Mike Bush
One of the returning Cordova football players, wide receiver/defensive back Calvin Augusta, No. 8 and center, is greeted by members of the Lancers' frosh-soph team at last Saturday's Meet the Lancers.
KP International Market Lines Up as Sponsor for Lancers
RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) – On a warm early Saturday evening, a large crowd descended onto the parking lot at KP International Market.
The people were present to get a glimpse of the 2017 Cordova High School varsity and frosh-soph football teams, as part of the annual Meet the Lancers on Aug. 12th. Kicking off the festivities was Cordova High School Principal Dan Anklam, who was introduced by the voice of the Lancers’ home games in Mark Gribskov.
Principal Anklam walked down memory lane of his high school football playing days.
“I’ll never forget going onto the field when I use to play,” recalled Anklam. “The roar of the crowd, under the lights, it was very exciting. It’s one of those things that you never forget.”
Anklam praised how the Cordova football program is beyond fortunate to have the best of the best in terms of Lancers Stadium that has turf field that was installed in the early 2000s to new equipment that includes helmets and shoulder pads purchased last year.
After the school’s varsity and frosh-soph cheerleaders performed a routine for the audience, Cordova varsity football coach Darren Nill stepped onto the stage.
“It’s great to be here,” Nill told the crowd.
The coach thanked KP International Market for its generosity as one of the Lancers’ sponsors, along with other people and businesses contributing.
Then Nill talked about this year’s squad that is looking to repeat similar success as last year. That is when Cordova won a share of the Sierra Valley Conference title with Liberty Ranch and El Dorado, and earned a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoff berth.
“We are returning five all-league varsity football players,” Nill said.
Last year’s team, in the SVC, averaged 36.8 points per game on offense and gave up only 9.4 per game. Nill said he and his coaching staff are expecting similar numbers, if not greater on offense and lower on defense, this season. Nill backed it up by pointing out the returning players on both sides of the ball, plus an improved kicking game.
“We’re going to be exciting to watch,” Nill said. “Our defensive line is coming back with another year of experience. Our defensive backfield is a no-fly zone.”
Today, Friday, Cordova scrimmages at Capital Christian. The varsity contest is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., and frosh-soph at 5 p.m.
A preview of the Cordova varsity football team will run in next week’s issue.
Next Friday, Aug. 25th, Cordova kicks off the season with a non-league game against Rio Americano at Del Campo High.
