Grizzlies excited for start of practice

The Grizzlies from Granite Bay kicked off the first day of football practice with a two-hour workout from 8 to 10 a.m. Monday morning. The up-tempo practice saw the team switching from drills every 10 to 15 minutes as they worked special teams, individual offense and defense, seven on seven and team offense and defense. Team members were excited for the day and the upcoming season. "I'm excited for today," lineman JT Fales said. "It's the start to what should be a good season. The weather is nice. It's exciting." Lio Ene, a senior receiver and cornerback, was ready for the day. "I'm excited for the first day," Ene said. "It's a little hot out, but it's always good to get a work in with my team." Darnell Turner Jr. is excited for his senior year. "This is my last year so I've got to go all out for this one," said Turner, a receiver and defensive back who's committed to Sacramento State. The Grizzlies are coming off an 8-4 season in which they won a playoff game before losing in the second round. With many players back from a young team a season ago, they look to be an improved team and hope to win more than one playoff game. The reason? The team has two huge offensive weapons in running back Isaiah Ene and receiver, Turner, a quarterback ready to take over the reins in Dominic Cattolico and lots of familiar faces on the defensive side of the ball. "We think we've got a good group, but obviously we have a really tough schedule," Granite Bay coach Joe Cattolico said. "Everybody we play has a good group, too. We'll see after we get through acclimatization and get pads on and then we'll have a better idea of how we'll be. "It's a good group of kids. They worked hard all summer, so we're hoping that translates into the fall."