GALT, CA (MPG) - Football season is almost here, and the Liberty Ranch Hawks have been putting in the work all summer long. Last Friday night, their dedication paid off as they took the field against McNair High School and Ripon High School in a traditional preseason scrimmage that showcased months of preparation.

The evening began with junior varsity action at 5 p.m., followed by varsity at 6:30 p.m. Both squads battled through 90-degree heat, demonstrating their conditioning and commitment as they executed plays that they’ve been perfecting since summer practices began.

“Both teams gave a great performance against two high quality teams,” said Head Coach Warren Schroeder. “We are proud of how hard they have worked to prepare for our first game this week. They have done well at learning and executing the schemes on both sides of the ball.”

The scrimmage served its purpose as a final tune-up, allowing coaches to evaluate player performance and identify areas for improvement before the season opener. Without numbered jerseys, individual players were difficult to identify, but the collective effort was unmistakable as Hawks players showcased their strengths while coaches took notes on what still needs work.

“We still have many more things to learn and perfect, but we know they will continue to give all their effort,” Schroeder added. “We do anticipate some players going both ways at the varsity level, but that has almost always been the case at a small school like Liberty Ranch.”

The real test comes this Friday when the Hawks host Stagg High School of Stockton for their season opener. JV kicks off at 5:30 p.m., with Varsity following at 7:00 p.m.

The community is invited to join a special tailgate party featuring athlete autographs from the football, flag football and volleyball teams. Food trucks and other activities will add to the festivities, while team photos will be available for varsity football, girls’ flag football and volleyball. Junior league players are especially encouraged to attend and meet their high school role models.

After a summer of preparation and a successful scrimmage showing, the Hawks are ready to spread their wings and begin the 2025 season on their home turf.