BROTHERS IN LEGS MATT IS LATEST VALENTINO TO KICK PALMDALE FOOTBALL INTO HIGH GEAR.Byline: Ross Siler Staff Writer PALMDALE - Of all the things Matt Valentino remembers about his first game as freshman punter Punter 1. An trader who hopes to make quick profits. Basically, another term for speculator. 2. In the U.K., it is generally used to describe someone who gambles. It is also used to mean a client or customer of any business. three years ago, the most distinct is the sense of dread he felt watching the oversized o·ver·size n. 1. A size that is larger than usual. 2. An oversize article or object. adj. o·ver·size also o·ver·sized Larger in size than usual or necessary. defenders from Hart High of Newhall line up and prepare to come after him. At only 5-foot-6, Valentino felt like he was giving up at least half a foot and 100 pounds to every Indians player on the field. His Palmdale High team also was backed up hard against its goal line. But with one incredible kick from the back of the end zone, Valentino grew in stature almost immediately. On his first attempt, Valentino connected on the punt of a lifetime. The ball sailed almost 80 yards on the fly before landing at the Hart 20-yard line and bouncing out of bounds. The kick shattered shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. the Falcons' team record and even caught Valentino off guard. ``Everything was perfect,'' Valentino said. ``I was kind of shocked, and since I didn't know anything, I thought they were all going to be that easy.'' Now a senior, Valentino has been a fixture at kicker Kicker A right, warrant, or some other feature added to a debt instrument to make it more desirable to potential investors. Notes: The ability to trade a bond or other debt instrument in for stock may entice investors, if they feel the stock will appreciate. and punter ever since for Palmdale. His older brother Anthony handled the kicking duties at the school for three years before that, and Falcons coach Jeff Williams For the poker player, see . For the physician, see . For the astronaut, see . Jeff Williams (born June 6, 1972 in Canberra) is an Australian-born, left-handed pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers baseball team. admits that because of the Valentinos, he has enjoyed a special teams luxury most of his opponents envy. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what they have in their legs,'' Williams said, ``but it's been a great weapon for us. ... (Matt) saved us on more than one occasion last year with his punts. He's gotten us out of a lot of bad situations.'' Valentino's best game last year came in a victory over Quartz Hill. To preserve the win, he had to punt out of the back of the end zone with little time left and a ferocious fe·ro·cious adj. 1. Extremely savage; fierce. See Synonyms at cruel. 2. Marked by unrelenting intensity; extreme: ferocious heat. rush coming after him. But he got the kick away, and the Falcons won. Valentino also kicked what would prove to be the game-winning field goal. Entering this season, Valentino has set the goal of breaking his older brother's school record: a 54-yard field goal. Valentino has connected from 60 in practice, although his longest in a game is 45. The record likely won't come in tonight's opener against Barstow since Valentino is recovering from having his wisdom teeth removed. But he is confident the mark will be his by the end of the season. ``If I keep working on it, I'm thinking I can do it,'' Valentino said. Like most kickers kickers See bells and whistles. , Valentino functions as a separate part of the Falcons' team. Most days, he goes off and kicks by himself for 30 minutes, then helps out with special-teams drills and watches the remainder of practice from the sidelines Sidelines Hypothetical position referring to noninvolvement in a stock; merely watching. . As a sophomore, Valentino auditioned to play wide receiver, but the coaches were reluctant to use him. While he might not fit into the role of a team leader as a result, Valentino nevertheless inspires confidence among his teammates. ``We know that if it comes down to the nitty nit 1 n. The egg or young of a parasitic insect, such as a louse. [Middle English, from Old English hnitu. gritty grit·ty adj. grit·ti·er, grit·ti·est 1. Containing, covered with, or resembling grit. 2. Showing resolution and fortitude; plucky: a gritty decision. or the offense isn't playing that well,'' said Palmdale quarterback Jacob McCravey, who also is Valentino's holder, ``we can put him out there for a 50-yarder to bail us out or win the game.'' As a freshman, Valentino joined the team only after friends and coaches kept telling him he should try out. By the third game of the season, he had been promoted to varsity and was kicking against Hart, one of Southern California's powerhouse teams. Next season the line of Valentino kickers officially runs out, as Matt will graduate and likely attend Antelope Valley College Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of 1,945 square miles covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties. . But there remains the possibility of a connection between the family and the position: Sophomore Ben Royce, Valentino's understudy, is dating younger sister Ashley. ``I know,'' Valentino admitted. ``It's weird.'' THE FACTS Name: Matt Valentino Team: Palmdale Falcons Position: Kicker The numbers: Hopes to break the school record for longest field goal of 54 yards currently held by his brother Anthony Valentino. TODAY'S GAMES BARSTOW (0-0) at No. 6 PALMDALE (0-0) 7 p.m. --Player to watch: T.J McKay, WR/DB, Palmdale. Expected to fill in for all-league wideout JaVonte Holmes, who was suspended one game for disciplinary reasons. --Key stat stat adv. With no delay. adj. Immediate. STAT Stat! Clinical medicine adverb Fast, quickly, immediately, schnell, vite Lab medicine noun : 3 Barstow has reached the Southern Section Division VIII semifinals in each of the past three seasons. --Why Barstow will win: Return both of their starting running backs, senior Andrew Ramsey and junior James Noble This article is about the U.S. senator. For the actor, see James Noble (actor). ''Note: James Noble is also the name of an early settler of Ohio. James Noble (December 16, 1785–February 26, 1831) was the first U.S. Senator from the U.S. . Senior quarterback Ed Wheeler is entering his first season as the varsity starter, however, and Barstow's defense is inexperienced in·ex·pe·ri·ence n. 1. Lack of experience. 2. Lack of the knowledge gained from experience. in . --Why Palmdale will win: Advanced to the Southern Section Division III
Division III (or DIII) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States. semifinals last year and return almost all of their starters for this season. Senior quarterback Jacob McCravey is the league's best passer and Sean Edwards is an excellent running back and defensive back. For one week, Palmdale should have little trouble making up for Holmes's absence. --Last week: Teams didn't play --Perspective: Palmdale has won this season-opening matchup in each of the past two years and three of the past four. With Holmes out, McKay and fellow junior receiver Adrian Jenkins should see more of the ball. --Outlook: Palmdale expects to make a run deep into the playoffs and contend for the Golden League title. The Falcons should begin that quest with a relatively easy victory today. BAKERSFIELD (0-1) at No. 8 A.V. (0-0) 7:30 p.m. --Player to watch: Kreig Peters, RB, A.V. Takes over as lead tailback tail·back n. Football The back on an offensive team who lines up farthest from the line of scrimmage. tailback Noun Brit a queue of traffic stretching back from an obstruction in triple-option offense. --Key stat: 8-18 Antelope Valley's record against Bakersfield in a series dating back to 1958. --Why Bakersfield will win: The Drillers have dominated the series recently, beating the Antelopes by a combined score of 86-17 over the past two seasons. Bakersfield went undefeated last season in winning a Central Section title, and the Drillers will be upset about the first-week loss and ready to take it out on the Antelopes. --Why Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley will win: The Drillers might be vulnerable. Bakersfield lost its first game of the year last week, allowing a sophomore to rush for 162 yards. The Drillers also have a first-year coach. Antelope Valley is a veteran team with 25 years of head-coaching experience from Brent Newcomb. --Last week: Stockdale 28, Bakersfield 27; A.V. didn't play --Perspective: Antelope Valley hasn't beaten Bakersfield since 1995. Before last year, the coaches and players were speaking as if Bakersfield was an automatic loss, but a learning experience. This year, they think they have a chance to win. --Outlook: Bakersfield has more depth and size. The Drillers should dominate the line of scrimmage line of scrimmage n. pl. lines of scrimmage Football Either of two imaginary lines extending across the field parallel to the goal line at the ends of the ball as it rests prior to being snapped and at which each team lines up for . If QB Johnny Walker can get into the open field and contribute some big plays, he could make things interesting for the Antelopes. CRESPI (0-0) at QUARTZ HILL (0-0) 7 p.m. --Player to watch: Jason Burton, QB, Quartz Hill Gets starting nod over senior Josh Fricke. But nothing's guaranteed beyond the first series. --Key stat: 0-10 Crespi's record two years ago when it gave up an average of 44 points per game. The Celts The following pages provide lists of nations or people of Celtic origin, arranged by branch of Celtic ethnicity or language grouping: Goidelic Celts
--Why Crespi will win: Single-back offense could pose problems for the Rebels' defense. Senior linebacker Jeff Asher is a returning All-Mission League selection and was the team's leading tackler a year ago. --Why Quartz Hill will win: Team speed has Crespi coach Troy Thomas concerned. The two teams last met in 1999 and Quartz Hill scored a decisive victory Meaning A Decisive victory is an indisputable military victory of a battle that determines or significantly influences the ultimate result of a conflict. It does not always coincide with the end of combat. . And while the Rebels might be using three players at running back, that should be acceptable for the season opener. --Last week: Teams didn't play --Perspective: Quartz Hill coach Pat Degnan isn't pinning all his hopes for the season on this week's game. But it is important for the Rebels to start with momentum after finishing 2-8 last season. --Outlook: Playing at home, Quartz Hill has the advantage and should pull out a victory. Whether Burton or Fricke is on the field at the end of the game, however, remains to be seen. BURROUGHS (0-0) at LITTLEROCK (0-0) 7 p.m. --Player to watch: Herb Dominguez, QB/DB, Littlerock Back after breaking his thumb last year and might be the Lobos' best player on both sides of the ball. --Key stat: 4 Incomplete passes An incomplete pass is a term in American football which means that a legal forward pass hits the ground before a player on either team gains possession. For example, if the quarterback throws the ball to one of his wide receivers, and the receiver either does not touch it, or tries from the 4-yard line in the final seconds by Burroughs last season as Littlerock held on to win 14-7. The Lobos later forfeited for·feit n. 1. Something surrendered or subject to surrender as punishment for a crime, an offense, an error, or a breach of contract. 2. Games a. the game for using an ineligible player. --Why Burroughs will win: The Indians are coming off a 5-5 season a year ago and posted their best record since 1996. They have several strong performers on defense, most notably defensive back David Brooks David Brooks is the name of:
--Why Littlerock will win: The Lobos are far more comfortable in their second year of running their wing-T offense and expect to see improved results. Abraham Williams has been a welcome addition in the secondary as a senior. Dominguez and RB Juan Williams For the Chilean naval officer see Juan Williams Rebolledo Juan Williams, National Public Radio's Senior Correspondent, is a African-American Emmy Award–winning writer, and radio and television correspondent, who has written for The Washington Post connected for a touchdown in last year's game and both return this year. --Last week: Teams didn't play --Perspective: After beating Burroughs last year, Littlerock won only two more games the rest of the season. And the Lobos could be without two key players for today's rematch REMATCH Cardiology Clinical trials–Randomized Evaluation of Mechanical Assistance Therapy as an alternative in Congestive Heart failure–related to use of a portable, electric left ventricular-assist system–LVAS–eg, HeartMate® as senior linebacker James Clark James Clark - Dr. James H. Clark is doubtful with a knee sprain sprain, stretching or wrenching of the ligaments and tendons of a joint, often with rupture of the tissues but without dislocation. Sprains occur most commonly at the ankle, knee, or wrist joints, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty in moving the involved joint. and running back Byron Thomas is questionable with a hip injury. --Outlook: If injuries sideline sideline See on the sidelines. Clark and Thomas, Littlerock could be in trouble. But the Lobos have slightly more offensive power and should open the season with a win on its home field. HIGHLAND (0-0) vs. MAYFAIR (0-0) at Bellflower bellflower, in botany bellflower or bluebell, name commonly used as a comprehensive term for members of the Campanulaceae, a family of chiefly herbaceous annuals or perennials of wide distribution, characteristically found on dry , 7 p.m. --Player to watch: Dan Oberly, QB, Highland Senior got the starting nod for today's game over Gary Rosales, who started at the position for the Bulldogs all last season. --Key stat: 9 Number of wins in a row for Mayfair, which won the Southern Section Division VI championship last year. --Why Highland will win: Rallied to defeat Mayfair last season 15-14 on touchdowns by senior WR Kris Theus and since-graduated TE Donald Powers. Highland's defense was one of the region's best units a year ago and its offense expects to double its scoring output of a year ago. --Why Mayfair will win: After starting 2-3 last season - including the loss to Highland - Mayfair went on to win nine consecutive games. Junior tailback Dereik Driscoll was Mayfair's third-down back last year but will step into a featured role this season. --Last week: Teams didn't play --Perspective: This will be Sam Vaiana's first game as a head coach after spending 22 years as an assistant. ``I'm excited,'' said Vaiana, who took over for Lin Parker in January. ``But it's not like I haven't been here before.'' Vaiana installed a new spread offense, featuring five receivers in some sets. --Outlook: Mayfair would be the favorite, except it has several question marks on offense. Starting right guard Francis Vaea and left tackle Drew Langan will miss the game with injuries. In addition, Mayfair's starting quarterback, junior Kevin DeHaas, will see his first varsity action. Look for Highland to prevail on the strength of its defense and Theus' playmaking. GAME DAY OFFBEAT off·beat n. Music An unaccented beat in a measure. adj. Slang Not conforming to an ordinary type or pattern; unconventional: offbeat humor. Littlerock and Quartz Hill have benefited from the addition of a basketball player who wanted to play football in his senior year. One of them, wide receiver Lawrence Dantzler, caught a pair of passes in the Rebels' scrimmage last week. And defensive back Abraham Williams made a couple of nice tackles in Littlerock's scrimmage. Williams is the only one of the two with previous football experience. He played on the Lobos' freshman team before giving up the sport to run track and play basketball. SPOTLIGHT A year ago, Johnny Walker became Antelope Valley's starting quarterback after the team's 43-0 season-opening loss to Bakersfield. It wasn't the best debut for Walker, who played two series and threw an incompletion. But he went on to earn Golden League player-of-the-year honors as a junior. If Antelope Valley is to win its rematch against Bakersfield Friday night, it will need a sensational game from Walker, who rushed for 1,135 yards and 15 touchdowns. OFF THE CHART Average victories by school the last five seasons: Palmdale 6.6 Antelope Valley 6.0 Littlerock 5.8 Highland 4.6 Lancaster 4.4 Quartz Hill 2.4 NUMBERS GAME 93: Points scored by Lancaster last season. Only four area teams had a lower total. LOOKING AHEAD Palmdale at Kennedy of Granada Hills Friday, Sept. 20 A good intersectional matchup in the second week of the season. Kennedy advanced to the City Section finals last year before losing 41-13 to Narbonne of Harbor City. Palmdale played in the Southern Section Division III semifinals. STANDINGS GOLDEN LEAGUE Conf. Overall School W-L W-L Antelope Valley 5-0 8-4 Palmdale 4-1 9-4 Highland 2-3 4-5 Quartz Hill 2-3 2-8 Littlerock 2-3 2-8 Lancaster 0-5 1-9 CAPTION(S): 2 photos, 3 boxes Photo: (1) The Palmdale football team let nothing, not even nearby brush fires, keep them from practicing. Daily News (2) WALKER Box: (1) THE FACTS (see text) (2) TODAY'S GAMES (see text) (3) GAME DAY (see text) |
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