Football: Grumbling has started on early start time for practices

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Because of the expanded CIF state championship bowl games, football practice will start earlier than ever in 2012, and coaches, administrators and others are beginning to understand the ramifications of a potential 16-game schedule.

The official City Section practice starting date will be July 16 for schools that have zero-week games on Aug. 24. Others will start on July 23. Scrimmages can be held between Aug. 13 and Aug. 25. Assistant commissioner John Aguirre said a coaches’ meeting will have to be held in early June to make sure everyone is aware of the changes taking place.

‘I’m starting to rethink this,’ Aguirre said.

The City Section was one of the sections that voted to approve the expanded CIF state championship bowl games. The Southern Section voted against the proposal, and a new proposal from the Southern Section is working its way through to get rid of the 16-game format that will include regional games for the first time this fall.

Meanwhile, coaches and players are trying to schedule vacation time and figure out the best way to handle the early start of fall practice.

-- Eric Sondheimer