Mt. View returning seniors Keivon Flores and Ignacio Castanada
By George Hernandez
[El Monte] A 5-5 season for teams like Arroyo or Rosemead might be considered a failure, but after going 0-10 in the 2009 season the Mountain View Vikings made huge strides finishing .500 last season.
The Vikings threw one of the best running games out there every Friday night with the help of graduating Jossymar Ulloa (1,861 yards, 21 touchdowns). They do bring back top returning Mission Valley League running back Jose “Nacho” Zamora (563 yards, 5 touchdowns), and a stable of running backs ready to pound the rock.
“It’s going to be very difficult to replace Jossymar, but our kids are hungry,” said Head Coach James Wilson. “I have the most kids out here since I started. With over 100 kids and some of the success we had last year, we’ll be ready.”
View lost All-Leaguers Jerry Ponce, Jesus “Chuey” Ordaz and Paul Herrera, along with team captains Alonzo Mora and Omar Rivera to graduation, a total of 28 kids.
Zamora won’t have to carry the whole load for the Vikings next season. The Vikes also have juniors to be Sergio Vera, Diego Estrada and Jose Gonzalez and soon to be sophomore Alfred Martinez ready to make a name for themselves. Under center View will have Josh Martinez (sophomore) and junior Xavier Yanez, two other capable runners.
“I see a lot of younger guys out here but I’m ready to do whatever it takes to help my team,” said senior to be Igancio Castanada.
Mt. View backfield: Jose Gonzalez, Diego Estrada, Josh Martinez, Jose Zamora, Xavier Yanez, Alfred Martinez, Sergio Vera - who will be View's next 1000 yard rusher?
All three levels ran View’s “double wing” offense last year and that should help giving the kids familiarity with how to run the plays.
“Almost everyone out here has experience with the offense and we are ready to make our coaches proud,” said Keivon Flores.
The Vikings open the season with Alhambra in week zero after taking Keppel off their schedule, followed by Bassett, Sierra Vista, Hoover, and Bell Jeff. Then they start off league against the champion Knights.
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