Doctors Hospital of Manteca, and the neighboring California Rehabilitation physical therapy practice, is once again offering sports physicals to Manteca, East Union, Sierra  and Lathrop high school athletes prior to the beginning of their teams’ heated preseason drills.

Jeff Steckler, owner of the physical therapy site, said that doctors and nurses will be on the scene of the physicals to perform heart, lung and blood pressure checks to insure that students are in the necessary physical condition to withstand the rigors of high school football.

Manteca High quarterback Ryan Fox and MHS linebacker Eddie Smith went through a dry run of the strength and agility portion of the sports physicals Tuesday morning following an hour-long light practice.

DHM officials explained that the $20 physical fees charged per athlete would go back to the individual programs in the form of a check enabling them to buy additional needed equipment.

Manteca High has 50 some students who have gone out for the varsity team and the freshmen ball players are expected to account for more than 100 interested students.

Steckler said that Lathrop High School sent the most football players to Doctors last year for their physicals and were rewarded with a check for $660.

The physicals are scheduled for July 5 from 4 until 7 p.m..  California Rehabilitation is located directly across the street from Doctors Hospital on the west side of the parking lot.  It is necessary for players to pick up medical approval forms for the physicals from their coaches that require a parent’s signature which they must take with them that evening.