SOUTHERN SECTION FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: TOEING THE LINE PINA PUTS PREFERENCE ASIDE FOR THE GOOD OF THE TEAM.Byline: Kirby Lee Special to the Daily News Danny Pina makes it no secret that he would rather play outside linebacker than defensive end. But the Valencia High senior's contributions on the line have been invaluable to the Vikings' journey to the Southern Section Division III
Division III (or DIII) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association of the United States. final Friday against Hart at College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. . Pina moved from linebacker to defensive end in the Vikings' sixth game. The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder, who ranks second on the team with six sacks, including three in a quarterfinal upset over previously undefeated Crescenta Valley The Crescenta Valley is a small inland valley in Los Angeles County, California. Its name derives from its crescent-like shape, with the convex portion facing roughly northeast and the concave portion southwest. of La Crescenta. He has been a complement at left end with seniors Robert Felix, Brandon Yabco and Brandon Fuselier to propel pro·pel tr.v. pro·pelled, pro·pel·ling, pro·pels To cause to move forward or onward. See Synonyms at push. [Middle English propellen, from Latin Valencia (11-2) to six consecutive wins heading into the championship. ``I love defense, but I don't really like defensive end,'' Pina said. Valencia defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a football team in the National Football League or college football who is in charge of the defense. This position aids the head coach a great deal in many ways by delegating play calling to other coaches and allowing the head Larry Muir, however, was left with little choice after junior David Shipp was lost for the season with a broken ankle. The versatile Pina, who played his junior season at linebacker, was the No. 1 candidate. As a sophomore, he was the most valuable player at running back and linebacker on the junior varsity team For the American rock band, see . In sports, usually at the high school and college levels, members of a team who are not the main players in a competition (such as a football or basketball game) are called junior varsity players. that went 10-0. As a ninth grader, Pina played defensive end and linebacker on Valencia's Foothill League champion freshman team. ``I wouldn't want anybody else on my side,'' said Fuslier, Valencia's right defensive end. ``He is not that big, but he is a tough player. He is quick on his feet and very strong for his size. He gets past people anywhere to put pressure on the quarterback.'' Alex Gotlieb, a 6-5, 280-pound junior who is used in short yardage yard·age 1 n. 1. An amount or length measured in yards. 2. Cloth sold by the yard. Noun 1. situations on the defensive line, is also incredulous in·cred·u·lous adj. 1. Skeptical; disbelieving: incredulous of stories about flying saucers. 2. Expressive of disbelief: an incredulous stare. about Pina's play. Gotlieb said Pina, who can bench press 290 pounds, has been an inspiration for the Valencia defense. ``Danny is one of the people that I like to watch,'' Gotlieb said. ``He is just a great asset for our defense. He is not that intimidating in·tim·i·date tr.v. in·tim·i·dat·ed, in·tim·i·dat·ing, in·tim·i·dates 1. To make timid; fill with fear. 2. To coerce or inhibit by or as if by threats. the way he is built, but he gets in there to make the stops.'' Pina said the transition to defensive end was ``shaky'' but that he has grown more accustomed to the position each week. The most difficult change from linebacker has been going up against players, most of the time bigger, on every down. ``It is a lot harder for me to get around and go after passes because I am short and don't have longer arms like some of the guys,'' Pina said. ``I just try to use my speed and try to juke them to get around.'' Whatever Pina is doing appears to be working. The Vikings limited Palmdale to 13 yards offense and had seven sacks in a 13-0 semifinal win last week. The Valencia secondary has also benefited from Pina. Junior cornerbacks Stephen Wright
``Nothing against (Shipp), but Danny has stepped in and done a great job to really help us in the playoffs,'' Wright said. The Vikings will need another strong effort from Pina to stop Hart and quarterback Matt Moore Friday night. Moore guided the Indians to a 26-0 victory over Valencia in a Foothill League game to give Hart a 7-0 record in the six-year all-time series, including the 1999 Division III title. Valencia has never come closer than 21 points against Hart. ``I think we did a pretty good job against them,'' Pina said. `` We didn't get much rest last time, but our offense is a lot stronger. We just have to stop the big play and play hard every down.'' PINA FILE Name: Danny Pina Year: Senior School: Valencia Vitals vi·tals pl.n. 1. The vital body organs. 2. The parts that are essential to continued functioning, as of a system. : 5-foot-9, 190 pounds Position: Defensive end Notable: The second-year starter ranks second on the team with six sacks after moving from linebacker to defensive end at midseason. CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: Valencia's Danny Pina would rather play linebacker but he knows he's needed on the line. Kirby Lee/Special to the Daily News Box: PINA FILE (see text) |
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