By Matt Browning
Valley Center made the jump to AVCTL Division II this season, which is exciting to senior football player Drake Thornton.
“Something I’m most excited about this season playing tougher competition after moving up a division and winning games,” Thornton said.
Since the season ended in 2023, Thornton has been preparing for the 2024 season.
“During the summer I attend ‘Hornet Pride’ for lifting and conditioning,” Thornton said. “In the winter I go through ‘Off Season; which is a series of workouts everyday as well as conditioning. I also went to a Friends camp and an Emporia camp during the summer.”
Thornton is hoping his work throughout the offseason will pay off for him and the Hornets this season.
“Something I want to improve this year is my speed and endurance, being able to keep up a good game and get touchdowns,” Thornton said. “I helped myself get better at this by conditioning and running drills.”
Last year, Thornton recorded 35 total tackles, eight of which were for a loss, but the expectation for himself is to improve those numbers this season.
“Some of my individual goals are to improve from last season, getting tackling stats up, and showing out to show scouts my skills,” Thornton said.
