“We always feel like we can compete for the Golden League Championship,” Palmdale coach Jeff Williams said. “We're looking at a little bit more than that this year, thought, we want to go deep into the playoffs. Us being in the Northern Division, it's a very competitive playoff division so if we can go deep in the playoffs like we have in the past in the Western Division I think we'll be alright.”
The Falcons lost to Canyon High 24-13 in the first round of the playoffs last season. Canyon went on to lose in the second round to St. Bonaventure. This season they have 20 seniors returning to the varsity line-up.
“We got a lot of guys with a lot of games under their belt, so experience will take us a long way,” Williams said. “We also have very young energetic players that cam provide some stability to the team. We just want to be able to compete week end and week out.”
Making their final appearance in the black and green this season is offensive/defensive lineman Eric Rodriguez, Tight end/defensive end Danny Smith, and Wide Receivers Houston Haynes and Marc Cisnerous.
The Falcons made it to the postseason with a roster that had no depth. So coach Williams used what he had and played his players at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. This season Williams has more depth and even more players to utilize if he decides to.
“This season we have 35 players on varsity,” Williams said. “I'm really encouraged … That's probably our biggest strength this year is our depth.”
Last season Williams utilized seniors like David Richards who played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner. Steve Dillion who played tight end and defensive end, Mark Hooper who played running back, middle linebacker and tight end, and Louis Gipson who played wide receiver and defensive back.
Based on the first few games on its schedule, Palmdale has a lot to be happy about. It hosts its first three games of the season before opening up Golden League action on the road at Highland. The Falcons kick off the season on Sep. 9 at 7 p.m. at Hart, the fourth consecutive year the two teams have met. Palmdale has won the last two games by large margins.
2010 RECORD: 7-4 Overall, 5-2 Golden League
TOP RETURNERS: Eric Rodriguez, Danny Smith, Houston Haynes and Marc Cisnerous.
NEWCOMERS: None.
2011 SEASON OPENER: Fri. Sep. 9, 7 PM at Hart
2011 LEAGUE OPENER: Fri. Sep. 30, 7 PM at Highland
