GUSTINE - Excitement is the word Gustine High School football head coach Collin Lane used to describe the first week of practice.

The Reds, along with the rest of the high school football programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section, kicked off their practices on Aug. 3. The schools went three days where players could don helmets and T-Shirts and shorts. Then on Aug. 6, schools could go with wearing shoulder pads with their helmets if so desired, if not full pads from the waist down.

“The players were very excited to get into their helmets (last) week, and they were even more excited to get into full pads,” Lane said.

As the week progressed, so did the production of the Reds players, Lane and his coaching staff notice.

“We have noticed that there is a solid group of players who have really started to thrive as we have progressed from helmets into pads,” Lane said. “The increased physicality and competition have brought out a lot of energy and confidence in those players.”

Gustine finished its first week of practice on Friday “extremely well,” Lane pointed out.

“The energy and effort were tremendous, and it was probably our best finish to a practice so far,” Lane said. “We are really starting to see the team come together as we get closer to our scrimmage.”

The Reds will open the season hosting Westside rival Orestimba in the annual Battle for the Chief on Friday, Aug. 28.

Gustine will play at Riverbank and at Big Valley Christian of Modesto, also non-league games. The Reds begin Southern Athletic League action at Mariposa on Friday, Sept. 25.

After playing at SAL foe Denair on Friday, Oct. 2, Gustine will host Modesto Christian on Friday, Oct. 9.

Mike Bush is a multimedia journalist who was born and raised in the Stanislaus and Merced County areas. Follow him on X/Twitter @MikeBMultimedia and Instagram @mikebushmedia.