The high school football season is quickly approaching, and Benicia High’s Panthers hope to shake off the cobwebs while hosting a four-team scrimmage this Saturday night at Drolette Stadium.
The Bethel Jaguars, Rodriguez Mustangs and Berkeley Yellowjackets all come to town for workouts with Benicia’s varsity and junior varsity squads. The Panthers have spent the past week practicing against themselves and welcome the opportunity for a run-through against other competition.
“We’re still putting stuff in and trying to get ready,” said Benicia varsity head coach Craig Holden.
The JVs will start things off at 5 p.m. Each school’s offense and defense will run 13-minute sessions against each of the other three schools under a running clock. Offensive possessions will begin at the 40-yard line.
The varsity squads will play under the same conditions, but for 15-minute sessions instead of 13.
Benicia’s varsity team has several holes to fill coming off a 2013 season that saw the Panthers go 7-4 overall and reach the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs. Holden will use the scrimmage to help gauge the progress of his team and develop a depth chart.
“I’ll know a lot more about my guys after I see them in a scrimmage,” Holden said.
Benicia’s 2014 season opener is at Concord on Friday, Aug. 29. Benicia’s home opener is Sept. 5 against Windsor.