Friday night thoughts

So what did we learn between Friday's scrimmages and jamborees?
Not a lot.
Every coach kept things simple and played everyone.
Oh, there were highlight reel plays that will get the attention of coaches when watching film.
But these events aren't designed for teams to display their game plans or show off their strengths.
It's just a chance to see how players react against another opponent in game like conditions, without it counting.
It's a dress rehearsal before Week 1.
Carmel didn't even throw a pass in the direction of all-league tight end John Stivers or let tailback Covossay Windham take a handoff in their scrimmage with Gilroy and North County.
 Why?
 What for?
 We know Stivers caught over 60 passes last season and has over 100 receptions in his career while Windham rushed for nearly 1,700 yards last fall.
 Alvarez shuffled different groups of players in after every four plays. Salinas found a way to get 90 players into the game at the Salinas City Jamboree.
 Obviously for teams that struggled last year, a good start is encouraging. Alisal did look good on defense, as did North Salinas' aerial attack.
 North Salinas quarterback Tim Burkhardt got some people's attention, as did Alvarez's tailback Alan Camel Edwards.
 And running back Ivan Garcia had a nice night running the ball into the end zone for King City at the South County Jamboree.
 Someone likely evolved that wasn't on a coaches radar. And someone likely earned a starting job that was still up for grabs.
 The bottom line is optimism remains high -- everywhere.