GRESHAM -- The McMinnville Grizzlies kicked off the 2010 season against Sam Barlow Friday night, two weeks after half the team got sick at a preseason conditioning camp.
"They're just excited to play," said mom Andrea Payne. "They just want to get going."
Back in mid-August, 43 players took part in a preseason conditioning program. Nearly two dozen of them got sick. Some had to be hospitalized for compartment syndrome and rabdomyolosis, a muscle injury that can result in kidney failure.
"I mean they all felt fine other than some soreness," said Payne.
A state investigation revealed the boys worked out too hard in the heat and did not drink enough water. The coaches were cleared of any wrongdoing.
"They want to put it behind them," said dad Dennis Nice. "They want to see what they can do out on the football field."
On Friday night in Gresham the Grizzlies' sideline was packed with supportive fans. Included in the bunch was Lila Brown, who drove from McMinnville to watch her grandson play.
"He's feeling good and he's excited to play," said Brown. "I'm pumped for him."
McMinnville went home with in a win -- off the field, but not on it, losing badly to Barlow with an undermanned team.
