With just weeks before their Aug. 23 opener, Point Loma’s Fighting Pointers football team has already been preparing for months. During a May-June period, coaches worked with returning players and continued installing offensive and defensive plans while evaluating the team’s conditioning and skills at each position. Veteran head coach Mike Hastings knows what it takes to produce a winning football team and has been meeting with players to develop leadership skills and other qualities in his teen athletes. Hastings assumed the reins in 1998 after assisting legendary prep coach Bennie Edens when Edens experienced health issues. He counts 26 years as a coach/teacher and 22 at the helm. The Pointers will remain in the Western League, one of the CIF’s toughest along with county powers Cathedral Catholic, Madison and St. Augustine and a resurgent Lincoln team. Last year’s varsity fell to 5-6 overall, 1-3 in Western League where the Pointers’ only win was over Lincoln by a 31-20 score. Then, with unfortunate CIF playoff scheduling, the Pointers were paired with Lincoln in the first round, the Hornets stinging the Dogs this time by a 35-21 score. Hastings doesn’t shy away from the tough competition. “The leagues are based on power rankings and our goal this year is to compete well in that league to allow us to continue to be in it,” he said, noting the league is composed of the top five schools in the city. Hastings has many returning players this year, now including some boys who have come up through the Junior Pointers program ranks. Last season’s quarterback platooning system has ended. “We’ve told both (seniors) Jason Peres and Trey Cobb there will be competition and one will win the job,” Hastings said. Using a spread offense mixed with the traditionally strong Pointer running game should give the 2019 team a good balance Hastings noted. And a set of new maroon home jerseys are on their way. Hastings will take his team on its annual retreat later this month before season practices begin July 31. 2019 POINTERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Aug. 23      El Camino                Home    6:30
Aug. 30      Ramona                   Away     7
Sept. 6       Otay Ranch             Home     6:30     
Sept. 13     Rancho Bernardo    Away      7  
Sept. 20     Olympian  #             Home     6:30   
Sept. 27     Bye Week   
Oct. 4         Cathedral +              Away      7       
Oct. 11       University City          Away      6:30     
Oct. 18       Madison  +               Home    6:30
Oct. 25        Lincoln  +                Home     6:30
Nov. 1         St. Augustine  +       Away     7   # Homecoming
+ Western League game