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The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

The Student News Site of Palo Alto High School

The Paly Voice

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JV Vikings look forward to the football season

A young but talented junior varsity football team looks forward to the upcoming season, beginning Thursday against Burlingame at Paly.

After going 7-2-1 last year, the JV Vikings look forward to repeating the success of last year through several key returning players complimented by young new comers to Paly football.

Returning head coach David Duran, accompanied by coach Mike Fukahara and Jason Fung, are prepared to mold their young talent into football players. "There will be some growing pains in the beginning," Duran said, as 36 of the 50 players who will play junior varsity football this year have never played contact football before.

Under center will be second year signal-caller Jon Keopfgen, protected by veteran lineman Tim Curry and rookie Frederick Koloto. Keopfgen will have plenty of threats to throw to as sophomore Teddy Jones, sophomore Buddy Teevens, and sophomore Brad Lehman will rotate as the receiving corps. In the backfield, sophomore Roger Villanueva is back with a year of experience.

New freshmen talent has been brought to Paly this year, highlighted by freshmen Nick Goodspeed doubling as back-up quarterback and wide receiver, and Koloto anchoring the line.

Despite all the inexperience and new faces, the Vikings anticipate to see the traditionally strong defense, as was prevalent in their three-way scrimmage on Saturday. "Our defense played well in the scrimmage," Duran said in reference to their strong showing against Menlo School and Woodside.

The Vikings need to continue to improve as they are in for a tough season this year. Although defending league champion Saratoga has moved into the lower El Camino Division, as their varsity’s poor record dictates, the Vikings face league powerhouses Los Gatos, Wilcox, and Milpitas in consecutive weeks from Oct. 17 through Oct. 30.

For the Vikings to overcome their tough schedule, they need to heal their wounded players before the league play begins. The injured players are Roger Prince, a new comer from Sacred Heart Preparatory who will work out as running back and line backer. Also, projected starting running back Roger Villanueva is down with an arm injury. Both are expected to return for the beginning of league play on Oct. 9, but will take limited snaps in the mean time.

However the Vikings start off, they are destined to get better. "They all need to get better for us to do well. They are all pretty young," Duran said, who will ensure the development of his young players.

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