Change Could Work Wonders for Viewpoint

After going winless last year and 1-17 over the past two seasons, the Viewpoint High football team underwent a much-needed drastic overhaul.

In a case of out with the old and in with the new, Chris Adamson was hired as the Patriots' head coach with the hopes of turning things around a struggling program.

The good news is, things appear to be heading in the right direction headed into the season opener on Saturday against Fontana Jurupa Valley.

"I've been real happy with what I've seen so far, the kids are hungry,'' Adamson said. "I think it was just a case of starting over, having the chance at a fresh start. We're in the process of rebuilding, but make no mistake, we have some talent around here at Viewpoint.''

Viewpoint figures to go as far as senior quarterback Alex Satnick will take them. While he's struggled at times, he's been the starter for the Patriots the past two seasons.

Satnick, 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, showed signs of improvement during several 7-on-7 passing league tournaments in June and July against familiar foes in Malibu, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon, Ojai Villanova Prep and Canoga Park Faith Baptist. He didn't back down against much bigger schools such as Calabasas and Oak Park either.

"Alex has been through the ups and downs and I think he wants to end things on a good note in his last year here,'' Adamson said. "He's got a good arm and great speed. Once we get him up to speed on what we expect from him on a weekly basis, he'll be just fine. ''

Satnick's main target will be Drew Johnston, a senior captain who had a team-high 29 receptions and three touchdowns last season. Johnston will be asked to pull double duty this year and also line up at linebacker.

Adam Markun is an intruiging prospect and it appears as if the sophomore running back will have every opportunity to earn the starting spot.

"Adam played on the junior varsity team last year, but we think he's ready to make the jump to the varsity level,'' Adamson said. "He's been a pleasant surprise. He's grasped the offense quickly. When it comes to consistency, no one has done a better job than him.''

Aside from Johnston, there are plenty of questions on the defensive side of the ball for the Patriots. Lineman Charlie Fries will be relied upon to put pressure on the opposing quarterback and be disruptive in the middle when teams attempt to run the ball. Austin Tesoriero also is expected to have a presence on the Patriots' defense at linebacker.

No one has emerged as true leader in the secondary, and Adamson and his coaching staff must address that problem to be successful.

 "We have some of the pieces of the puzzle in place, but we're still missing a few,'' said assistant coach Patrick Skahan. "That said, we're optimistic that we can do well. If the kids got out there and play hard on every down, things will take care of themselves.''

Whether that happens or not remains to be seen. One thing is certain: There are no easy games on the schedule for a Patriots team that has struggled to win games.

Following the opener on Saturday, Viewpoint turns its focus to three tough non-league games against Lucerne Valley, Villanova Prep and Newport Beach Sage Hill.

Prep League play starts on Oct. 16 against Pasadena Poly. Defending league champion, Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep, looms in the season finale on Nov. 12.

"Win or lose, we're holding these guys accountable this season,'' Adamson said. "As of right now, we have a clean slate and everyone is starting to buy into that and the system. We're going to figure out a way to win, and once we embrace that, things will change.''