Up on the Roof

By Mick Holien on September 22, 2011 2:15 PM

There won't be a phalanx of motorcycles cops leading the team buses through the colorful sea of supporters to pilot the Montana football team from Rancho Cordova to the Sacramento State campus Saturday night.

Quite the opposite and in fact if one were to stop and ask somebody directions to the facility or inquire as to whether there is a football game or what time it might start, you'd be surprised at how often you couldn't get a correct answer.

While the presence of Hornet football has improved and some facilities have definitely been upgraded, it's small-market football in a big-market California town.

Sacramento native Marshall Sperbeck has won more games than any previous four-year coach and has strong junior college connections having coached for 15 years at Foothills College where he won twice as many games as he lost and took the school to 11 bowl games.

And it looked like this might be the Hornets' year after opening with an overtime road victory over Oregon State, but their press clippings didn't bring victory either against a tough Southern Utah 11 or at Weber State in the league opener last week.

And so for now, here before the completion of the season's first month, Sac State is again up against it and hoping by defeating Montana for the first time in 17 games, they can prove they are more than an also-ran.

It's a late leave for the Grizzlies Friday via charter and an early return on Sunday which makes for yet another short preparation turnaround.

Temps are forecast into the nineties on game day and it won't be far cooler than that with a 6 p.m. (PDT) start.

The World League used to play at Hornet Stadium and the lights are awesome as is the playing surface which is surrounded by an Olympic-style track which contributes to leaving fans a bit removed.

Greg Sundberg opted out of his sideline duties this week and will be replaced by Kent Haslem who is attempting himself to rebound from a one-game losing streak sustained during his last substitute appearance in Ogden last year.

As for the broadcast crew, well we're still "Up On The Roof," because television gets the visiting radio booth - Go figure.

It is less than adequate as is the shaking ancient elevator that takes you to the press level for an additional one-level access to the roof.

It can be windy, which causes one to scramble for your spotting chart, and a few years back before the area was covered, a torrential rain storm dropped the temp so severely I was shaking and if not for KPAX's Tom Katz, who loaned me a jacket that almost made it to my armpits I no doubt would have caught pneumonia.

There's also a fair share of kibitzing, clamoring and cheering upstairs which also makes for interesting and challenging dialogue from the radio crew.

But don't get me wrong; Sac State is doing what they can, not only to improve athletically but in all areas.

And none of that of course will have any effect on the football game, just my perception of it.

A second step to a league championship and return to the playoffs is in the offing and I like the Grizzlies in a resounding offensive showcase.