Heat‑Driven Adjustments Shape the 2026 Season
The first day of football practice in Southern California this year coincided with temperatures that topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit, forcing teams to rethink traditional drills.
At Crespi High School in Encino, athletic director Brian Bilek deployed a wet‑bulb globe meter to continuously gauge heat stress, a tool that has become standard across the region as climate extremes become more frequent.
Under new California Interscholastic Federation rules, full‑contact tackling is now limited to just two days each week and capped at 45 to 90 minutes per session, a measure designed to curb concussions and overuse injuries.
Coach Brad Vonnahme, who has guided the team for several seasons, spoke about the program’s trajectory, noting that the upcoming campaign marks the 40th anniversary of Crespi’s iconic Division 1 championship victory over St. John Bosco in 1986.
The schedule reflects that milestone, opening with a non‑league showdown against rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame on August 21 and culminating with a Del Rey League title decider against Salesian on October 30.
Returning quarterback Chase Curren and a core group of starters are expected to lead the offense, while the coaching staff continues to fine‑tune strategies that balance aggressive play with player safety.
Beyond Crespi, other programs such as Chaminade and San Clemente are organizing summer trips to Hawaii for football and surfing, underscoring a broader trend of teams using exotic locales for preseason bonding.
Administrators across the valley are also tightening eligibility checks, ensuring that transfer paperwork is complete to avoid costly forfeits later in the season.