Sports
Five to Watch: Palm Desert High Football Preview
After losing many key offensive players to graduation, the Aztecs are getting back to smashmouth physical football.
The Palm Desert Aztecs (6-4, 3-2 in DVL in 2010) are looking
for a bounce back campaign.
“I’m not worried about them,” long time Aztec head coach Pat
Blackburn said when asked how to compete with the likes of La Quinta and DVL champion Palm Springs. “We have to worry about ourselves first.”
Worry may be a strong word. Curiousity as to how some key underclassmen will perform more aptly describes the season.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
After losing seniors Christian Fedorchenko (1,583 yards
passing, 15 TDs), Cody Kabeary (32 catches, 6 TDs) and Danny Dalecio (29 catches, 2 TDs), Palm Desert may seem to have lost their passing game, which is being turned over to junior QB Jospeh Castelli.
The good news is that 1,000-yard running back Tim Santa Maria
returns to the Aztec backfield; so look for a strong “run first” mentality from Palm Desert.
Find out what's happening in Palm Desertfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Palm Desert is also looking for strong senior leadership roles on a roster heavy with underclassmen. It’s also reflected in the CIF’s Central Division football polls, where the Aztecs are unranked.
The 2011 Aztecs will face a very familiar schedule, with the same early season opponents from last year including regional powerhouse
Fontana/Kaiser.
For Aztec fans, here are five players to keep an eye on this
season:
Brian Bruning, Senior, OL
Bruning is being looked on to anchor the Aztec offensive line, after seeing limited action his Junior season.
Tim Santa Maria, Senior, RB
Santa Maria ran for over 100 yards six times in 2010, and worked for 95 yards in a SVL loss to Palm Springs.
Jordan Riek, Senior, LB/OL
Riek is one of the hammers on the Aztec defense, averaging 8.5
tackles per game. Being asked to perform double duty as part of the Aztec offensive line this year.
Joseph Castelli, Junior, QB
Played one varsity game as a sophomore, after running the JV
squad last season. Has big shoes to fill following the departure of
Fedorchenko.
Tyler Roberts, Senior, DL/OL
The senior is a rock on the O-line, and a terror on the defense. Roberts is a versatile multi sport athlete, already being recruited by top universities.
2011 Palm Desert High Schedule
(all games at 7:00pm) *Desert Valley League games
9/02 – Palm Springs
9/09 - @ Apple Valley
9/16 – San Bernardino
9/23 – @ Hesperia
9/30 - @ Fontana/Kaiser
10/07 – -Bye-
10/14 - @ Coachella Valley*
10/21 – Cathedral City*
10/28 - @ Palm Springs*
11/04 – Indio*
11/11 – @ La Quinta*
