The Friday Night Lights return to the Imperial Valley this week as the IV Football Coaches Association holds its annual varsity football carnival at Central High’s Cal Jones Field.
The IVFCA will also hold their annual varsity and freshman football carnival on Thursday evening at Holtville High School. The carnival is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.
Also this weekend, three Valley varsity football teams have been invited to participate in the annual CIF-San Diego Section Kick-Off Classic at University City High School in San Diego.
“These are two great events for players and fans alike,” said IVFCA Carnival Director Craig Lyon. “They raise money to help sponsor the IVFCA Hall of Fame, so the players of today play to help honor the players of the past, so it’s full circle.”
There will be a five dollar entry fee to each of the two carnivals for those over the age of five, and CIF, Southeastern Conference or school passes will not be honored and no outside food or drink is allowed.
“This is a fundraising event for the schools and the IV Coaches Association,” Lyon said. “Gate (admission) proceeds are used to fund the Imperial Valley Hall of Fame induction banquet, while concession proceeds go to the host schools.”
In the spirit of fundraising, the Official Imperial Valley Soccer Association will have its members donate their time and work at both carnivals.
“This is how we give back to the community,” said IVFOA President John Seamen. “The informality of the scrimmages allows us to develop a rapport with the coaches, players and fans and we will be available to explain the rules to them.”
The IVFOA will also highlight rule changes for the 2022 season to help teams avoid penalties and confusion during the season.
“The new rules are all designed for player safety,” Seamen said. “It’s been the trend for at least the last decade and we want everyone to understand… we have nothing to hide.”
For teams involved in carnivals, the value of the scrimmage format is to learn about yourself in game-like situations.
“There will be four teams on each field with two scrimmages with two teams going 15 minutes, one on offense first and one on defense and then they switch,” Lyon said. “Nobody’s worried about first downs, they’re just making plays … the coaches are on the field and fully engaged … it’s about trying to get exposure to all the players.”
Four varsity teams will compete Friday night, including Calipatria, Central and Palo Verde Valley high schools of the Southeastern Conference and for the first time, the Yuma High Criminals.
“Yuma High reached out to us and we’ve included them because it gives them and our Valley schools someone different to look up to and learn from,” Lyon said.
Meanwhile, Brawley, Imperial and Southwest High’s varsity teams will trade local clashes to face San Diego-area opponents Friday night and Saturday afternoon in the CIF-SDS Kick-Off Classic, which is as close to a game as possible with subtle variations. .
On Friday night, the Imperial Tigers will be the first of three Valley teams to play in the Kick-Off Classic at University City High School when they take on the Sweetwater High Red Devils at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, two Valley schools will be in classic kickoff action when the Southwest Eagles take on the Hoover High Cardinals at 12:15 p.m., while the Brawley Wildcats take on the Morse High Tigers at 2 p.m.
San Diego Football Night Lights Magazine coordinates the Classic and according to their Twitter account, @MBASports1, admission is a one-can donation to the San Diego Food Bank.
On Thursday night, the JV scrimmages will take place on the east and west sides of Birger Field, with Brawley, CETYS, Central, Imperial, Palo Verde and Southwest.
The Frosh Carnival finds host Holtville joining Brawley, Central, Imperial and Palo Verde and will take place on the outfield grass of the adjacent baseball field.
While stadium seating is available for the JV Carnival, spectators are encouraged to bring chairs for the Frosh Carnival as there are no seats available.
