VALENCIA STICKS TO COMPANY LINE.

Byline: Scott Magoloff Staff Writer

Players and coaches from Valencia High are saying all the right things.

As Foothill League rival and defending Southern Section champion Hart is entering the season with a 38-game league winning streak, Valencia coach Brian Stiman has to believe that the Indians are the team to beat.

Stiman speaks much more carefully when he considers which team has more talent.

``I'll be honest, this is a very good group that is really focusing in on the team,'' Stiman said of his Vikings, choosing each word so as to not come off as boastful of their talented lineup.

Even the players are being politically correct about the obvious public perception that the Vikings have more weapons than Hart.

``I don't know what the other high schools have,'' said running back Manuel White, who gained 1,906 yards and scored 20 TDs last year. ``The past years I've been on varsity, all the teams have been tough. It'll be real close this year between everybody.''

Added wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner Stephen Stokes: ``We're not concerned with Hart. League is five games away and we have to take it one game at a time. Victories will come if we stay focused.''

Coaches are expected to be somewhat pessimistic about their team and overly confident in the abilities of their opponents. Players are usually more honest, but the Vikings are following Stiman's example in using rhetoric to downplay their vast talent. This does not bode well for the other Foothill League teams.

Combining the Vikings' skills with a mentality that prohibits them from underestimating anyone is a dangerous combination.

White (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) has gained 4,096 yards in his last two seasons and will have his choice of Division I colleges to attend. Currently, White said he is considering Pacific-10 schools UCLA, USC, Arizona St. and Washington. His backfield mate, fullback Ray Cassaday, has already committed to UCLA.

The most explosive backfield combination in the league will also play a huge role on defense, where White will play defensive back for the first time since his freshman year, and Cassaday returns to his natural linebacker spot after playing out of position on the defensive line last year.

Stiman said White has been playing ``about as well as any safety I've ever coached.''

The defensive line is led by junior Kaelen Jakes (6-4, 255).

``He's an extremely aggressive young man; his first three steps are extremely quick,'' Stiman said. ``Put the quickness and strength and aggressiveness with his size and it's a formidable task for people on the other side of the ball.''

Junior Zack Sapp takes over at quarterback, replacing Brian Hamilton, who was the team's second-leading rusher with 682 yards and 16 TDs last year. Sapp started at linebacker for the Vikings last year, but has impressed since switching positions.

``He looked a lot better than most of these big-time QBs in the passing leagues,'' White said. ``He shines.''

Valencia plays Hart on Oct. 29 at College of the Canyons. On that night, the Vikings could end Hart's Foothill League run and establish themselves as front-runners for the league title.

In keeping with their preseason strategy, the players and coaches won't say a word about it.

``We have seven games prior to Hart,'' Stiman said. ``If we spend too much time worrying about them we'll make mistakes along the way.''

VALENCIA VIKINGS at a glance

Last year: 9-4 (2nd in Foothill League)

Coach: Brian Stiman (6th year)

Key returners: Manuel White, RB; Ray Cassaday, FB; Kaelen Jakes, DL; Stephen Stokes, WR; Zack Sapp, QB.

Key newcomers: John Robinson, LB; Herman Williams, OL.

Season opener: Sept. 10 at Highland.

Quote: ``Obviously, the premier team in our league is Hart and they'll continue to be that way until something changes. We expect them to be No. 1.'' D-Brian Stiman

(color) Manuel White, who rushed for 1,906 yards last season, leads the Valencia offense. The Vikings should challenge defending champ Hart.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

Box: VALENCIA VIKINGS at a glance (see text)

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