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PREP FOOTBALL: ON TARGET : HIGHLAND KICKER JOSE DUARTE HAS BEEN A HIT FOR BULLDOGS.


Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

The target was a mere 10 yards away, but Jose Duarte May refer to:
  • José Filho Duarte, a Brazilian footballer
  • José Napoleón Duarte, a Salvadoran political figure
 was skeptical. Highland High football coach Lin Parker wasn't sure what to expect from his 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.
 either.

All Parker saw on this night was a potential weak spot on Canyon High's kick return team. With a large offensive lineman positioned in front of Duarte, Parker instructed the junior to kick a line drive aiming at the opponent's chest.

The objective? For the ball to deflect de·flect  
intr. & tr.v. de·flect·ed, de·flect·ing, de·flects
To turn aside or cause to turn aside; bend or deviate.



[Latin d
 off the player's chest for an impromptu A Windows query and reporting tool from Cognos with support for a large variety of databases. It is capable of generating cross tabs for spreadsheets such as Excel, Lotus for Windows and Quattro Pro for Windows.  onside kick onside kick
n. Football
A kickoff in which the ball carries just far enough, at least ten yards, to be recovered legally by the kicking team.
. No problem for Duarte, right?

``I was thinking to myself, `This is impossible,' '' Duarte said. ``All the coaches and my teammates were telling me `You can do it. You can do it.' When it's (a target) that close, it's hard to hit it because your aim has to be perfect.''

Duarte was dead on, the line drive caromed off the Cowboys player and rolled back towards the Bulldogs, where, fittingly, Duarte pounced pounce 1  
v. pounced, pounc·ing, pounc·es

v.intr.
1. To spring or swoop with intent to seize someone or something:
 on the ball to finish his own clever maneuver.

The accuracy has continued all year for Duarte. He's kicked a Southern Section-leading 10 field goals, including a school-record 52-yarder against Palmdale two weeks ago. He's missed twice in 12 tries.

Duarte's right leg could be the determining factor in Highland's run for a Golden League title. The 2-0 Bulldogs play at Lancaster Friday night.

Expect Parker to make several chess moves with Duarte, whether it be attempting long field goals that most schools wouldn't risk or surprise onside kicks (the Bulldogs have tried at least one each week).

``That takes a lot of skill, too, making a successful onside kick,'' Parker said. ``I'll give Jose a spot on the field to kick it to and usually he'll be able to get it there.''

Because of Duarte's range, the Bulldogs can afford to settle for a field-goal attempt during drives that stall rather than panic and be forced into gambling on fourth down.

Take Highland's Golden League opener against Palmdale on October 15. Leading the Falcons 14-0, Parker allowed Duarte to line up for a 52-yard field goal, despite the risk of a blocked kick and a big runback run·back  
n. Football
1. The act of returning a kickoff, punt, or intercepted forward pass.

2. The distance so covered.
. Duarte didn't disappoint dis·ap·point  
v. dis·ap·point·ed, dis·ap·point·ing, dis·ap·points

v.tr.
1. To fail to satisfy the hope, desire, or expectation of.

2.
, knocking the ball through with room to spare to break current Cal State Northridge kicker Derek Brown's school record.

``I was thinking, `It's the same thing as you do in practice all the time.' I knew I could do it in a game. The only difference was another team would be putting on the rush,'' Duarte said. ``I just considered it like I was kicking in practice.''

Parker admitted field goals and extra points were such a shaky prospect for his team last year - Duarte was the junior varsity junior varsity
n. Abbr. JV
A high-school or college team that competes in interschool sports on the level below varsity.

Noun 1.
 kicker - he resorted to ``praying and lighting candles'' to will them through.

Now the Bulldogs think about three points whenever they advance into an opponent's territory.

In the waning seconds of last Friday's 40-14 rout of defending-league-champion Littlerock, the Bulldogs didn't aim for the end zone when reaching the Lobos' 33, instead they ran in the middle of the field to set up a Duarte field-goal try.

The 45-yarder had plenty of distance though it sailed wide left. But the Bulldogs have confidence that they can salvage some points if they can't reach the end zone.

``He's got a good foot,'' quarterback Jeremey White said. ``When we're down there we know we've got a good chance because he can put it through for us.''

``Once we get inside the 50, I'm ready I'm Ready is the double platinum second release from R&B singer Tevin Campbell. I'm Ready yielded the biggest R&B hit of his career the #1 R&B smash "Can We Talk", and produce 3 more successful hits in "I'm Ready", "Always In My Heart" and "Don't Say Goodbye Girl".  to get out there. I'll grab a ball and start kicking one into the net,'' Duarte said. ``I need to have the confidence that I can make any field goal.''

Duarte's powerful kicking stroke used to be a soccer-only tool. He's played since he was 3 and was a starter on Highland's Golden League-championship soccer team as a sophomore.

He came out for football as a Highland freshman, having never played the game. Seeking a spot as a wide receiver, Duarte was encouraged by teammates to step forward when the coaches asked for punter volunteers.

``I made one kick and they told me, `You're our punter,' '' Duarte said.

But he's not your typical kicking specialist, though Parker jokingly likes to refer to him as Highland's ``little kicker dude.''

While many of his colleagues can usually be found alone at the opposite end of the practice field quietly kicking field goals and avoiding any contact, Duarte prefers to be in the middle of the action.

``He's not goofy Goofy

bumbling, awkward dog; originally named Dippy Dawg. [Comics: “Mickey Mouse” in Horn, 492]

See : Awkwardness
 like a lot of kickers kickers

See bells and whistles.
 are,'' Parker said. ``He jumps in on the scout team In sports, the scout team, also referred to as a practice team or practice squad, is a group of players on a team whose task is to emulate future opponents for the featured (or starting) players.  and plays wide receiver and defensive back. I can't keep him off the field.''

The 5-foot-10 Duarte, listed at just 154 pounds, strives to shed the label that kickers prefer to avoid as much contact as they can. In a recent practice drill, he earned his stripes by taking down a larger teammate.

``I know a lot of kickers that are not going to try to hit anyone. I love playing scout team,'' Duarte said. ``Everyone always yells out, `He's just a kicker. He can't hit you.' ''

The Bulldogs just prefer Duarte keep hitting those long field goals.

CAPTION(S):

Photo

Photo: (Color) Jose Duarte has been a real find for Highland High. He's made 10 of 12 field goals, including a school-record 52-yarder.

Shaun Dyer/Associated Press
COPYRIGHT 1999 Daily News
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1999, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Article Details
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Publication:Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Date:Oct 27, 1999
Words:894
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