At first glance, Paly’s 2004 varsity football team looks small and weak after losing many of last season’s key players, including Shane Parsons, James McCluskey, and Tydus Kiger, to graduation.

Fortunately, looks can be deceiving, according to head coach Earl Hansen and assistant coach Steve Foug. Both believe this year’s team to be a group of strong individuals, all willing to work hard to bring in more Paly wins. Both coaches say that these qualities, in addition to teamwork, are the keys to success.

In response to McCluskey’s absence on the defensive line, Paly has found sophomore Fred Koloto. Koloto [6’4’’, and weighing in at 260 pounds] is bigger than McCluskey, and although less experienced, he is showing great potential in the left tackle position, according to coaches.

Another player who will contribute substantially on the line is senior Nabil Balamane, a returning varsity lineman. "He is going to be one of the only experienced players on the line," Hansen said. Hansen and Foug expect Balamane to shine this season.

Other players who are expected to put up some numbers include seniors Nathan Ford [quarterback], Matt Wismann [defensive back and wide receiver], Trevor Bisset [center and tackle], John Ginanni [wide receiver and defensive back], Alex Gibson [tight end and defensive back], Teddy Way [tight end and linebacker], Chris Reade [wide receiver and defensive back], and Kevin Briggs [wide receiver and defensive back]. The team also has a wealth of talented juniors, according to Hansen.

"The defense this year will be better," Foug said. "We have talented linebackers, aggressive defensive backs and a tough and athletic front line. We will be more able to dictate the flow of the game even when we don’t have the ball."

The players, as well as the coaches, are ready and excited to have this season begin. Their expectations are high, and they plan to work hard in the months to come. "This is a new team, and it is going to take a little bit of time to mesh, but there is no doubt that when this starts happening, we are going to prevail," junior lineman Tim Currie said.

"The success of our team is dependant on teamwork, which I believe we have" senior Trevor Bisset said. "I have no doubt in my mind that we are going to CCS." Bisset is currently struggling with a hemotoma in his left quadriceps. He suffered the injury on Aug 17, and is expected to recover in time to play in the league opener against Saratoga on Oct 1, according to Bisset.

The Vikings hope to assert themselves as one of this season’s top CCS contenders in pre-league scrimmages Friday night against Woodside and Menlo. With strong new and returning varsity players, Hansen’s expectations for the season are high. "I expect us to win every game… it just depends how hard [the team] works," Hansen said.