In normal times, a spring game held its value, but never as it does now. For the Immaculata-La Salle Royal Lions varsity football team, it’s an opportunity for many of the players to get their feet wet and understand what needs to be adjusted.

Head coach Helder Valle felt the strain of not having that golden opportunity last season, due to COVID-19. Although their 4-3 record would say otherwise, the chance to regroup in April could’ve been vital, and the key to turning a passible season into a memorable one.

“It’s very useful anytime you can have spring football,” Valle said, as his team preps for the start of spring practice on April 26. “It gives you the ability to run around, to get in a rhythm and to understand plays, as supposed to coming in summer and starting from scratch.”

Valle has kept his unit equipped for the start date, with offseason conditioning taking place on weekdays since their season finale. Players have grown, matured and understood what it takes to continue ILS football’s progression in the right direction.

“Something we’ve done really well going my third year is knowing what to expect,” Valle said. “We have stability. They know they have to give effort, give 110 percent every day. I think that’s really resonated in the other sports they’ve played. It makes them give effort too. Our sport isn’t better than anyone else’s but it’s a good overall thing the coach asks of everybody — to work hard. Everyone’s trying to get it right together.”

The Lions’ spring game will be against the Leonard Lancers, a school from Greenacres, Florida. Although they won’t be a team to prep for down the line, the May 20 match-up offers much more than a chance to be victorious.

“We’re excited,” Valle said. “We have a couple of positions that we need to fill in but we’re looking forward to what’s to come. We’re ready to find out what people can do well and not, and then continue to perfect the extra schematics of things.”

Questions are yet to be answered on both sides of the field, with transfers and freshmen yet to touch campus. However, the mentality inside the locker room is set. In Valle’s eyes, there’s a motive to fight that doesn’t need reasoning.

“The message has been finished,” he said. “We let two games slip away last year, and we’re eager and motivated for that not to happen this season.”