Carson and Dayton high schools took the field for their first "real" practices of the 2010 season on Thursday.
Carson's Blair Roman greeted 48 players, including 23 returners, while Dayton's Rick Walker had just 24 varsity players dress for the first day of drills.
Roman said there are a few players who didn't play last year that have come out, including senior Aaron Mangione, who starred on the Senators' track team last spring.
The first few days are always considered "conditioning" type days as the players work in shorts and helmets, but no pads.
Roman was pleased with the condition of his varsity group.
"Before they even get gear, they have to pass a conditioning test," Roman said. "The varsity is in outstanding shape. That (conditioning) started last spring and continued into the summer.
"There are a lot of drills and fundamental things you can do without having contact. We're building on the base we started with last spring. The kids have worked extremely hard."
Roman indicated that he is anxiou to get the pads on. The Senators are replacing two all-Sierra lineman from last year - Trevor Goodale and Will Flores. Matt Cooper has moved from tackle to guard. The Senators need to develop depth up front, and they need to do it quickly. L:ast year's reserves and last year's JV starters will need to step up.
DAYTON DUST DEVILS
This will be one of Walker's smallest squads number-wise, and he revealed that Conner Oliver, a two-year starter, has decided not to play this year and concentrate on baseball instead.
"We've been there (around 24 players) a couple three times," said Walker. "I think we had 27 players last year.
"I was pretty happy with the first day. Obviously we have a long way to go. Some of the older kids have gotten wiser and are in better shape. Some of the younger kids weren't in better shape and they are paying the price. It wasn't as bad as some of the past years."
Walker spent the two-hour morning practice on conditioning, plyometrics and lifting weights. The evening practice, according to Walker, was devoted entirely to offense. The Dust Devils, who run the Pistol offense, are installing an option package for quarterback Kage Walker, and that takes a little bit of time to develop because of all the ballhandling involved.
"Connor (Conroy, last year's starting quarterback) wasn't a runner," Walker said. "Kage is much more of a runner than Connor. Kage likes it.
"You've seen what (Colin) Kaepernick has done at Nevada. It gives us one more weapon for the defense to worry about."
Walker's son is one of the top athletes on campus. He started on the basketball team and also won the state high jump title.