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The Fallbrook High football team kicks off its 2018 season Friday, Aug. 17, when it hosts Del Norte High School, 7 p.m., at Fallbrook Stadium.
Del Norte, which like Fallbrook went 1-9 last season, is one of four teams that the Warriors will face this year that are coming off rough campaigns in 2017. The others are Sweetwater High School, which went 1-9 last season; Scripps Ranch High School, which went 2-8, and Castle Park High School, which went 0-10.
"I think this schedule is more friendly," Darius Pickett said, who is entering his second season as head football coach for Fallbrook High. "I think we definitely have more winnable games this year than we had last year, non-league."
Pickett, who last year saw his team play a tough non-league schedule that included games against Torrey Pines High School and Christian High School, said this year's schedule provides even more incentive for players to work hard.
"I think that's another part of the excitement – I think the kids can see that we can be successful this year," Pickett said. "That was the goal this year with the schedule, to try to get competitive games on there."
Fallbrook was hobbled by injuries throughout the 2017 season yet never ceased to compete despite being on the wrong side of some lopsided scores. The Warriors' most damaging injury came in the second quarter of the third game of the season against Torrey Pines when starting quarterback Jake McBroom sustained a fractured left collarbone that ended his year.
McBroom is back for his senior season, and Pickett said the quarterback has shown the leadership skills in practice that a coach wants to see in his signal caller.
"We have our quarterback returning, and that's huge for us," Pickett said. "He's definitely a leader for us and is working his butt off, and I think the kids feed off that."
Pickett introduced the spread offense to his team last season and will use that defense-stretching attack again this season.
"We're sticking with the spread," Pickett said. "Last year it was kind of a new idea, and you could tell they weren't used to that offense. So that was an adjustment period. I think they liked it, they just had to get used to it, catching the ball, running routes."
Pickett said the offense is way ahead of where it was last year at this time in practice.
"I'm really pleased with the offense," Pickett said. "Compared to last year, it's night and day. We look like we can move the ball this year. Again, we have to stay healthy. That always helps."
The Warriors also return senior Jalen Webb (running back), junior Jared McDonald (receiver and defensive back), senior Darius Watson (offensive and defensive line), senior Corbin Nash (running back and linebacker), senior Luke Conley (slotback and defensive back), senior Joseph Portillo (receiver and defensive line) and senior Will Gross (receiver and defensive back).
Senior Craig Person, who missed most of last season due to injury, will be back as a receiver and linebacker, as will junior Dru Calloway, who moved up to varsity during the season last year. Senior Ricky Magana is expected to be a force on both the offensive and defensive lines.
"I'm very pleased with Ricky Magana," Pickett said. "He's stepping up and being a leader. I'm expecting a lot of him."
Pickett said he is also expecting a solid season from senior defensive back Christian Vargas.
"He's a good little player," Pickett said of the 5-foot 7-inch, 140-pound Vargas. "Toward the end of the year I started to see the potential in him, and he's starting to realize it. I think he's definitely a guy we're going to depend on at defensive back."
Pickett said he is happy with the makeup of his defensive unit.
"I think we have a good group of linebackers, I think our defensive line is solid and I think our defensive backs are solid," Pickett said. "I would expect Corbin Nash and that linebacker crew to be very integral in the success of our defense this year."
Pickett believes the Warriors can have a successful season as long as the players continue to put in the effort to better themselves.
"Continue to work hard, continue learning your position and continue to study to become a better football player," Pickett said of his message to his players.
Pickett added that the players have been receptive to the football lessons they are getting.
"I think this group has really embraced the techniques that they've been taught," Pickett said. "They understand them, and so I expect to see them use them. I think they see the value in them. I think this group understands and has bought in. I think that's going to be the difference between this year and last year."
The Warriors' first test is Del Norte, a team that handed Fallbrook a tough loss last year when it scored a game-winning touchdown with 27 seconds left in the contest. Pickett is anxious for both the rematch with the Nighthawks and the start of the season.
"I'm looking forward to it," Pickett said. "I'm definitely excited to see how we do."
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