by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
There's a lot that comes with earning a trip to Carson, California to compete for a State football championship, and one of those unique opportunities is a chance for your school and your hometown to give you a big send off.
Thursday at Del Oro High School in Loomis, the entire football team was honored at a pep rally that included video well-wishes from local media, alumni, administration, and a few of the Sacramento Kings players.
Linebacker Tanner Huber, quarterback Bobby Heatherington, and defensive back Blake Covey got a chance to speak to the crowd and thank them for their support.
After the rally, students formed a human tunnel that began at the gym, continued through the campus, and ended at the parking lot where a bus was waiting. Players walked single file through line of students and boarded the bus, and from there the team bus was given a police escort through downtown Loomis.
The team is expected to arrive at their hotel in Southern California at approximately 10:00pm.
Del Oro will play Helix High School (La Mesa, CA) for the CIF Division II State Championship at the Home Depot Center in Carson on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4:00pm.